Advocate. Author. Jurist. Changemaker.
Justice Unity Dow (rtd) is a trailblazer whose life is a powerful blend of justice, activism and creativity. As Botswana’s first female High Court Judge, she made groundbreaking rulings that changed lives and set new legal precedents. She is also a celebrated author whose writings shine a light on public health, indigenous peoples and the human condition. Through her work as a jurist, legislator and advocate, Unity has left an indelible mark on her country, the region and the world. This platform is your window into her remarkable journey and ongoing impact.
About Unity Dow
Justice Dow (rtd) is the only person in Botswana who has served in all three arms of government. Dow is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana. She is a former judge of the High Court of Botswana, as well as a former Minister, first of Education and later of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Dow is a human rights lawyer and defender of international acclaim. Early in her career, she mounted a successful constitutional challenge which affirmed equal rights for women under the Botswana Constitution. The Attorney General v Unity Dow of 1992, is now internationally recognised as one of the most significant decisions on women’s human rights. Over the years, Dow, as a lawyer, has mobilised grassroots communities and used the law as a tool to create and expand rights for indigenous peoples, children, women, LGBTQI+, and other marginalised and underserved groups. Later as judge, Dow presided over the now famous CKGR Bushmen Case.
Alongside six other women, Dow founded Baobab Primary School in Gaborone, and later with her children, founded The Dow Academy, a PreK-12 school in Mochudi, Botswana. Dow also founded AIDS Action Trust, the first HIV/AIDS specific NGO in Botswana and served as member of the Data Safety Management Board of the Botswana-Harvard Aids Partnership, which oversaw HIV/AIDS clinical trials. During her illustrious career, Dow also co-founded more than six NGOs dedicated to the work of advancing the rights of women in her native Botswana, the region and internationally.
UNITY DOW THE Author
Dow is an author of both nonfiction and fiction. Her works of fiction have been translated into over five languages. Dow’s non-fictional work entitled “Saturday is for Funerals”, was co-authored with Professor Max Essex and published by Harvard University Press 2010.
ACCOLADES
Justice Dow has earned three honorary doctorates in Law, from Kenyon College ‘01, St Michael’s College ‘07 and from the University of Edinburgh ‘09. She was also awarded the French Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, the highest French order of merit, both military and civil.
Keep up with Unity Dow’s remarkable contributions to Botswana and the world.
