'Assist female-headed families with land'
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday March 13, 2024 09:14
Speaking before Parliament on International Women’s Day on Friday, she emphasised that, despite notable progress, global gender inequality persists, affecting areas such as equal pay, education, healthcare, and representation in leadership roles. Makwinja highlighted the historical pay disparity between men and women in Botswana and other countries.
She connected this year’s theme to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 5 and Vision 2036 Pillar No. 2 of Human and Social Development, stressing gender equality and investment in women. She also expressed the committee’s desire for an inclusive society fostering active participation and opportunities for all.
“Therefore, as we celebrate this day, let us rejuvenate our efforts for a better world, realising equal rights for women and men, girls and boys everywhere. “With a patriarchal history in which women have not been socially or economically empowered, we must stand proud and state for the record the achievements we have made as a people in ensuring women's inclusion in policy development, budget allocations, and programme mainstreaming,” she said.
Makwinja emphasised that investing in women is crucial for Botswana's future prosperity. She said financial access, credit, technology, and markets empower women to expand businesses and contribute to sustained economic growth and development. Equally, she underlined that healthy societies result from investing in women's health.
Makwinja noted that world economies rely on Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME), of which approximately 30% globally are women-owned. "In Botswana, 75% of SMMEs are women-owned," she said. She cited policies like the Economic Inclusion Act and the Chema Chema revolving fund, which were introduced in the recent budget, to transform the informal sector and creating employment.
"This will go a long way in ensuring women's economic and social empowerment, fostering increased political participation. The timing aligns with the 2019 revised land policy, granting all individuals eligibility for a residential plot, whether on State or Tribal land," she stated.
In the past, she said, only unmarried women or the wives of landless men qualified for land rights. Now, she added, regardless of marital status, every woman can access land, enabling participation in programmes like Chema Chema and the opportunity to invest in their livelihoods.
Makwinja stressed the importance of women's presence in the business sector and leadership positions, aligning with the government's commitment to accelerate progress in women's empowerment. Despite persistent issues of gender-based violence, she said the government considers it a priority and engages various sectors, including civil society, for a targeted response.