Traditional practices and youth rights in Botswana: striking a balance

Abstract

Individual rights and protection and prohibition of discrimination against specific groups are reinforced by international legal instruments on human rights. Despite all these legal instruments that promote and encourage respect for human rights, some societies still adhere to traditional and cultural practices which violate the declaration made by legal instruments. The international perspective is that traditional practices are beneficial and must be adhered to while minimizing harm to groups concerned. This is an exploratory paper which seeks to investigate how aspects of traditional practices in Botswana that seems to be helpful and beneficial in families and communities can also infringe on human rights. The discussion is guided by the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The discussion argues for the need to strike a balance between traditional practices and human rights. It argues that there should be harmony between individual rights and collective traditional practices.