Botswana: Engaging rural men and masculinities to advance LGBTIQ+ health and rights through the Marang LGBTIQ Fund
The Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men’s Health engages men and masculine-identifying community members across rural and peri‑urban Botswana to challenge harmful norms, strengthen allyship, and create safer pathways to affirming LGBTIQ+ health and rights services.
Across Botswana, LGBTIQ+ communities continue to face daily stigma, discriminatory norms and significant barriers to accessing safe, affirming health services. These barriers are especially visible in rural and peri‑urban communities where information is limited and harmful stereotypes about gender and sexuality persist. The Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men's Health (PMCMH) was founded to help close this gap by meeting men where they are – on football fields, at barbershops, in workplaces and in community meeting spaces – and engaging them in honest, respectful dialogue about masculinity, care and allyship.
With support from the Marang LGBTIQ Fund, PMCMH implemented a communication‑and‑outreach strategy designed to shift attitudes, strengthen community support systems and connect people directly to affirming services. The strategy paid particular attention to men and boys whose influence in families, peer groups and community spaces often shapes norms around gender, sexuality and help‑seeking.
To promote meaningful change, the project trained a network of male peer educators and community champions. These individuals came from sports teams, social clubs, small businesses and youth groups, and were equipped with tools to lead small‑group dialogues on healthy masculinities, consent, reducing stigma, and inclusive approaches to LGBTIQ+ wellbeing. Role‑play activities helped build empathy and opened space for participants to reflect on how harmful norms impact both LGBTIQ+ people and men themselves.
Digital storytelling further amplified the message. Short videos and micro‑lessons circulated via WhatsApp and Telegram helped normalise allyship, encourage health‑seeking behaviour and highlight respectful, non‑judgmental clinic experiences. Real‑life stories were shared in simple, accessible language to reach men who might otherwise never encounter LGBTIQ‑affirming information.
PMCMH also strengthened service pathways by establishing partnerships with clinics known to provide safe and respectful care. Outreach activities such as pop‑up health talks and weekend activations were linked directly to these clinics, allowing for immediate referrals to HIV testing, prevention, mental health services and gender‑based violence (GBV) support.
Gatekeepers – including traditional leaders, coaches, faith leaders and small business owners – were engaged in tailored briefing sessions to reduce backlash and ensure community conversations remained safe. A feedback loop using hotlines, direct messages and quick surveys helped PMCMH refine messages and improve confidentiality protocols.
The changes were visible. Participation in men's dialogues grew, referrals to affirming clinics increased, and community feedback showed greater comfort discussing SOGIESC issues. Men who once held harmful stereotypes expressed openness to learning, asking questions and showing support. LGBTIQ+ individuals reported reduced harassment at community events and more respectful engagement from male peers. Clinics benefited from clearer guidance on providing affirming services and gained stronger referral networks.
For many communities, the project broke the silence around topics often avoided. Conversations previously dominated by stigma shifted toward understanding, care and solidarity. Rather than passive acceptance, men began demonstrating allyship in practice – accompanying friends to clinics, intervening as bystanders, and challenging misinformation.
By reframing masculinity toward responsibility and care, PMCMH helped widen the circle of advocacy and support. The initiative proved that lasting change requires both narrative and structural shifts: community‑level transformation combined with strong, confidential pathways to services.
Quotes:
Lolo - The nurses at Area W clinic were so helpful, especially nurse Ms Pona Setshego.
Mr Fanikiso - Honestly, I thought I could turn gay by touching a gay person… Thank you for the kgotla session.