Lack of women judges causes concern

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.