Botswana: The everyday lives of transgender people

The story reclaims transgender lived realities in Botswana through the lens of Trans History Week 2026: “We’ve Always Been Here. We Can’t Be Erased.” By centering the voices of trans people, it affirms that their experiences are not new or emerging, but part of a continuous and often overlooked history shaped by resilience, resistance, and survival. Moving beyond sensational headlines and singular legal milestones, the piece highlights how gender identity intersects with healthcare, education, employment, family, and social belonging, revealing both the structural barriers trans people face and the ways they continue to navigate and challenge them. 

By weaving together personal testimonies with insights from medical professionals, legal experts, and advocacy organisations, the article disrupts the myth that trans identities are “un-African” and instead positions trans existence as deeply rooted within Botswana’s social fabric. It reframes everyday life as a site of both erasure and resistance, showing that simply living, working, loving, and building community as a trans person is itself an act of historical continuity. 

In doing so, the story contributes to a more grounded and truthful public narrative, one that recognises trans people as part of Botswana’s past, present, and future, and reinforces the campaign’s core message: trans people have always been here, and they cannot be erased. 

LINK TO PUBLISHED ARTICLE 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19U474F16M/ 

DISCLAIMER: 

This media article was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the EU Marang Fund Media Partner, Ytv, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.