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As a conservative society, Batswana felt that the introduction of gender equality would erode their values, "in our culture, a man is the head, the provider and the role of the wife is to support him," said Mmasekang Molosi of Malaka. She feels that the incorporation of western values confuses the current society hence the murder-suicide cases and high divorce rates. Molosi has no idea what March 8 is all about, but she had a hint of it on the radio. "That's for people in Gaborone, and the active young women who do not know what to do with their time," says the soft-spoken Molosi. Though she does not know much about women's issues, Molosi is concerned about the murder suicide cases that occur among lovers. "This is a sign of sickness, something has to be done," she says. A renowned gender activist, Ntombi Setshwaelo feels that gender activism has made strides in Botswana. She says the commemoration of International Women's Day in particular is an awareness creation day in which women come together to share their experiences and focus on particular themes. On many occasions people have decried urban biases on promotion of gender equality. Though Setshwaelo strongly denounces the issue, Dr Maude Dikobe, chairperson of Gender Policy Programme at the University of Botswana (UB) asserts that there is urban bias in the promotion of gender equality. "I will not deny that there is urban bias in the promotion of these issues, even if you look at the education system you would find that children in urban areas are more advantaged compared to their counterparts in Shakawe or any other rural area," she says. Dikobe notes that often women in rural areas are not carried aboard in decision-making. She complains that they are only remembered on commemoration day; when people "fly down" to celebrate with them without necessarily involving them in decision-making. However, Setshwaelo is adamant that International Women's Day is not just a day to wear colourful T-shirts adorned with symbols of women's struggles or a day in which marquee tents are pitched. "Messages are spread all over the country, we reinforce those who already know about women issues and we have new ones coming aboard," she says. Setshwaelo is bothered by allegations that their services are centred in urban centres. "If you look at our programme, you will realise that we are more active in rural than urban centres. I don't understand where this myth comes from," says Setshwaelo. Though the battle is far from over, Setshwaelo feels they have made strides in the war against gender inequality. Few laws have changed, after the Unity Dow case, in which her children were not granted citizenship because their father was a non-citizen. After she won the case, women organisations pressurised the government to change certain laws that oppressed women. Though they have not all been eradicated, the few that have been dealt with have given gender activists a sense of pride. As one of the core issues that were agreed at the Beijing conference, the issue of political empowerment for women has received divergent views from women. Some feel there is progress while others say there has been regression. Setshwaelo says the number of women in political activism is growing. Emang Basadi, a women organisation, has a forum in which women from all political organisations are trained. Setshwaelo was however quick to point out that they face a lot of constraints. She asserts that there are so many hindrances in politics. The issue of gender roles remains a thorny one. "Women still do not have the financial muscles, they are overwhelmed with the responsibility of being care givers to the sick as well as bringing up children," she says. On the other hand, women in politics often feel they have been inadequately educated. They also do not have time to network due to overwhelming chores they undertake. The executive director of Emang Basadi, Idah Mokreitane too feels that strides have been made in gender equality. In her view, commemoration of International Day is of great significance to a lot of women. "It is a time for reflection, assessment, sharing experiences and just encouraging each other," said Mokreitane. Human rights issues have been rated as one of the core issues, but it looks like women are fighting a losing battle. "Violence against women seems to be increasing, it is alarming that now people have adopted strategies of elimination," she said. With their efforts Mokreitane said they have seen the abolition of marital power. However, she asserts that the abolition of such powers has got its disadvantages. "Men have experienced loss of power and they don't know how to handle that, hence the cases of murder/suicide. The abolition of marital power has resulted in the need to consult and communicate, a concept foreign to the male," she says. She points out that women have now been repositioned to decision-making positions and head most families. "And because men have been socialised to see themselves as providers and heads, they fail to understand that a woman can carry out the role of being the provider and head without their assistance," she says. Like Dikobe, Mokreitane agreed that they do not reach the rural areas as much as they would like to, but blamed this on lack of financial resources. "We aspire to reach out to all women but we operate under stringent budgets," she says. Though she expresses concern on the failure to reach out to women in rural areas, Dikobe appreciated efforts of women organisations to empower others.
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