Botswana: Advancing inclusive healthcare for Trans persons in Botswana

Botswana Trans Initiative (BTI) works to advance the health and rights of transgender and gender‑diverse persons. Despite progress in national recognition of diverse identities, trans persons continue to face barriers including discrimination, limited provider knowledge of gender‑affirming care, and insufficient inclusion of gender diversity in SRHR and HIV programming.

The project focused on strengthening healthcare provider capacity, increasing access to respectful SRHR and HIV services, and amplifying the voices of trans communities. Through sensitisation sessions, BTI supported providers and policymakers to better understand gender identity, gender‑affirming healthcare, HIV prevention, and inclusive care practices.

Advocacy efforts engaged policymakers, national HIV programmes, and civil society partners to highlight health disparities. Community‑led monitoring and documentation of human rights violations helped inform advocacy messages. Storytelling and lived experiences played a central role in ensuring initiatives reflected community realities.

Healthcare providers participating in sessions demonstrated increased understanding and improved respectful engagement with trans clients, such as using affirmed names and pronouns. Trans individuals reported increased confidence in seeking healthcare and stronger peer support networks.

The project strengthened dialogue between trans communities and health stakeholders, laying foundations for future policy reform. The initiative has helped shift attitudes, improve partnerships, and promote inclusive health practices.

Sustaining this change relies on continued collaboration with healthcare institutions, government partners, and community leaders. Building community leadership remains key, enabling trans persons to serve as peer educators and advocates. BTI aims to advocate for integrating gender diversity into national training curricula, HIV programmes, and SRHR policies.

By documenting community experiences, strengthening advocacy, and expanding partnerships, BTI seeks long‑term transformation of Botswana’s healthcare system into one that welcomes and protects transgender persons.

Quotes

Healthcare service provider - MATRON Gwest Clinic as health care providers we still need a lot more training on transgender issues , as this also limits the knowledge and understanding we have when we meet clients.

Tobe - Trans individual There has been a small shift in how health care providers at gwest clinic treat us at least now the questions about my ID have stopped.

SRH department we acknowledge the existence of trans persons, as we have also adopted the HIV/STI guidelines that are inclusive of the trans community.