Lack of women judges causes concern

Although government has made strides in appointing women to positions of authority in the civil service this has not been applied to the judiciary. Since the retirement of former judge Unity Dow last year, there has been no woman serving on the bench.

President Ian Khama did not appoint any member of the fairer sex during his recent appointment of new judges even though Mmegi has learnt that at least one woman submitted her application. Dow was the first woman to serve as a judge in the country.  She was later joined by Dr Athaliah Molokomme who has since left the bench to take up the powerful postion of Attorney General. A Gaborone lawyer, who preferred anonymity, said this was a disturbing development.   She revealed that a female attorney who had applied for the recently filled posts of judges was overlooked.

She said the woman has demonstrated outstanding ability not only in private practice.  "I feel she was qualified even more than some people who have been appointed.  If you look at her experience, she could have been a better candidate," she said.  She added that some of the recently appointed judges were people from the corporate world, while others were academics without the hands on experience.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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