GBV Survivors Economic Empowerment Project (SEE) in Ghanzi

What is BGBVC?

The Botswana Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre (BGBVC) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting individuals affected by gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV. BGBVC offers psychosocial counseling, emergency shelter, legal and clinical care, and raises community awareness to combat harmful norms that perpetuate violence.

What is the SEE! Project?

The Survivor Economic Empowerment Project (SEE) is a pilot initiative in Ghanzi that empowers women who are survivors of GBV. This project provides them with horticultural training and business skills to build a sustainable source of income through vegetable gardening.

Economic dependency is a major factor in GBV vulnerability. The SEE! project addresses this by equipping survivors with practical skills to gain independence, rebuild confidence, and support their families.

Key Objectives of the SEE! Project

• Train women survivors of GBV to manage and sustain a vegetable garden.

• Provide ongoing mentorship to ensure project success.

• Deliver long-term psychosocial support to promote healing and well-being.

• Link beneficiaries with government economic empowerment programs for technical and financial sustainability.

Training and Capacity Building

Participants receive training in:

• Vegetable production and management

• Business planning

• Financial literacy and marketing

Through this, survivors gain confidence and real-world skills to manage and expand their gardening initiatives.

Mentorship and Technical Support

BGBVC ensures project sustainability by:

• Providing mentorship to guide beneficiaries in effective garden management.

• Partnering with existing entrepreneurship programs and government initiatives for technical support and scalability.

Psychosocial and Mental Health Support

Since all beneficiaries are GBV survivors, mental health counseling is a core part of the initiative. BGBVC counselors offer:

• Ongoing trauma-informed support

• Conflict management assistance

• Family-based counseling to build healthier relationships

Partners and Supporters

This project is supported by:

• French Embassy in Botswana – offering funding and coordination

• Sandfire Mining Company – providing land, tools, and gardening supplies

• BOCONGO – delivering technical and administrative support

Why Ghanzi?

Ghanzi has a population of over 19,000, with many residents living in poverty or facing unemployment. Like other districts in Botswana, Ghanzi struggles with high rates of unreported GBV. Economic empowerment is key to breaking this cycle and providing survivors with alternatives to returning to abusive environments.

The SEE! Project is more than a garden—it’s a path to healing, empowerment, and independence for GBV survivors. Through skills training, mental health support, and community partnerships, BGBVC is helping survivors regain control of their lives and futures.