Women politicians to be resourced
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday March 12, 2014 15:53
A gender and politics training workshop yesterday in Gaborone learnt that Botswana is one of the worst performing countries in terms of women representation in politics. Out of 132 countries, Botswana is ranked 121 in women representation in political leadership.
The workshop, run by a non-partisan coalition, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), resolved that concerted effort should be put into championing women in politics by supporting women candidates.
The participants agreed that there was need to source funding in and outside Botswana to help women who will be contesting for general elections.
In addition to harnessing existing political parties structures in an effort to increase and support women candidates, NDI also pledges to identify and encourage capable women to run for office. The organisation stated that it would place young women in private and public leadership, including corporate boards and Parliament.
The participants expressed concern that the excitement that marked the beginning of the gender equality movement had died down.
“That complacency had crept in and slowed down the vigour with which women used to advocate for gender equality. However, participants expressed delight at the meeting and saw it as a step in the right direction to revive gender activism,” said the workshop organiser and one of the key personnel behind NDI, Sethunya Mosime.