Africa-Press – Botswana. Even as Botswana enjoys a reputation for stability, peace is not always present where it matters most, that is in homes, workplaces and communities.
This was the central message at the two-day Peace Conference that ended last Friday at the University of Botswana (UB), organised by the founder of Little Eden’s Justice and Peace Centre (LEJAPEC), Dr Enole Ditsheko.
Little Eden’s Justice and Peace Centre is a Non-Governmental Organisation registered under Companies Intellectual Property Authority in 2014, aimed at tackling growing social challenges, like drug abuse, crime, high divorce rates, corruption and Gender Based Violence, among others.
In a lecture hall at UB, a Social Development Analyst, Dr Onalenna Selolwane’s voice carried a message that resonated far beyond academia that peace is not just a national or global ideal, ‘it begins within the walls of our homes’.
Addressing participants during the Peace Conference, Dr Selolwane who is also former UB senior lecturer and head of the Department of Sociology, explored how personal responsibility, family dynamics and cultural expectations intersect to shape communities.
“There is no peace in our walls,” she said, reminding the audience that even in societies that appear stable, conflict often simmers quietly in households, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
Her reflections delved into the complexity of parenthood, particularly the challenges facing young parents and single-parent families.
Drawing on psychological perspectives and social research, she explained how early parenthood and societal pressures can contribute to unresolved conflict and intergenerational struggles.
“When people say culture is to blame, it’s very simplistic. Culture gives us the tools to become responsible adults, but outcomes vary. We see both responsible and irresponsible fathers and mothers,” she added.
Dr Selolwane emphasised that the responsibilities of raising children often extend beyond biological parents.
She recounted how many adults nurture children they did not father, becoming integral in shaping their identity and sense of belonging.
Without broader support, she cautioned that bitterness and unresolved conflicts can foster, impacting future relationships and marriages.
Marriage, she argued, has historically served as a framework for shared responsibility, bringing together families and communities.
She expressed concern that nowadays societal changes have shifted family structures, with more children being raised in single-parent households.
“When we look at history, marriage was a way to ensure that children had more than one adult responsible for them,” she noted, adding that modern legal systems often struggle to reconcile customary and statutory laws, leaving many women and children in insecure positions.
Dr Selolwane further linked historical economic pressures to family dynamics, explaining how labour migration in the past led to the absence of men from households, which in a way disrupted traditional family formation.
She highlighted how these patterns continue to influence social behaviour, property rights and marital arrangements.
Throughout her talk, she urged attendees to recognise that peace is cultivated through deliberate effort, understanding and shared responsibility.
“When we are not at peace with ourselves, entering a marriage or raising a family can exacerbate unresolved conflicts. We must help one another grow into responsible and loving individuals, especially those who missed out in childhood,” she advised.
The lecture was as much a call to action as a reflection on societal trends, blending scholarship with empathy.
Participants left with a renewed awareness that lasting peace starts with nurturing relationships at home, valuing shared responsibilities and creating supportive networks for the next generation.
In the end, Dr Selolwane reminded the audience that the task of building peace is ongoing and personal.
“It is never a single thing that contributes to the failure or success of parenting, but a whole lot of things. It is in understanding, supporting and loving one another that we truly find peace,” she added.
The annual Peace Conference, which was this year themed, Tackling Pressing Social Problems Affecting Peace and Security, reminded attendees that the pursuit of peace starts at home and requires participation of every member of society.
As Botswana navigates social change, the initiative offered a needed platform for dialogue, understanding and shared responsibility on how best to address the challenge of growing social ills.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
