Botswana children's needs: orphans and vulnerable children dominated child welfare system

Area of Science:

• Child Welfare Studies
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana led to decades of focus on orphan and vulnerable children (OVC).
• This focus resulted in understudied and unaddressed needs of the general child population.
• Existing child welfare programs may not adequately serve all children in Botswana.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the needs of the general population of children in Botswana.
• To inform child welfare programs beyond those solely focused on OVC.
• To highlight the importance of addressing universal child needs.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach including visual arts (n=52), semi-structured interviews (n=6), in-depth interviews (n=26), and focus groups (n=2).
• Participants included children, policymakers, practitioners, community leaders, and caregivers in two selected sites.
• Data analyzed using a deductive content analysis approach.

Main Results:

• Children expressed fundamental needs including basic necessities, safety, love, and belonging.
• Findings suggest that children in the general population share similar needs with OVC, particularly in areas with poverty.
• The study identified a gap in services for non-OVC.

Conclusions:

• Child welfare programs in Botswana should expand their scope to include all children, not just OVC.
• Addressing the universal needs of children is crucial for overall child well-being.
• Policy and practice should acknowledge and respond to the needs of the general child population.