Parliament adopts motion to celebrate women
Gothataone Moeng | Monday March 17, 2014 16:08
The Member of Parliament (MP), Kanye South Abram Kesupile, said erecting a statue in honour of women would be in dedication of and recognition of the contributions made by women to the nation. He said the statue would not be created in the likeness of any specific woman, but should be a piece of art that reflects all the women of Botswana.
The statue would not only serve to stimulate debate on issues, such as poverty, weak presence in leadership positions and cultural barriers preventing progress, Kesupile said. He added that the statue would also communicate the nation’s vision in working towards an equal society that recognises women’s contribution to development.
He said women are central to the development of the nation, and that they do not take their role lightly. Batswana women always act in the best interests of the nation, Kesupile said. He was quick to point out that erecting a statue in honour of women would not be to trivialise men’s contribution but to remedy the current situation in which women’s efforts are not always acknowledged.
Other than honouring and motivating women, the statue would have the added benefits of serving as a monument that would attract tourists. He said the statue would also have aesthetic benefits, which may help Botswana move towards the development of monument or statue parks. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to the artists who will be commissioned to design and produce the work.
Many of the MPs supported the motion. Francistown West MP Dr Habaudi Hobona, argued in favour of the motion saying that the inscription beneath the statue should be inclusive and reflect Botswana’s linguistic diversity.
The Minister of Health Dr John Seakgosing said the cost of erecting such a monument should not be a constraint as the value of the statue would be priceless. He said he felt that such honouring of women was long overdue, a sentiment shared by Maun West MP Tawana Moremi who said even in the annual Presidential Honours women are underrepresented.
Letlhakeng East MP Liakat Kablay was against the motion saying the statue would not reflect the true status of women today. He said a statue is a celebratory monument, and that there is no reason to celebrate when many women, especially in the rural areas, still live in poverty.
A statue would likely be something for women in Gaborone, he said, adding that women in his constituency would prefer practical developments they can benefit from.
The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Edwin Batshu was reluctant to state his position on the matter, preferring to say that his ministry strives to craft policies for the equality of both genders. He was worried that erecting a statue for women might create a rift in the gender equal society that his ministry is determined to create. He said there should be priorities that are reviewed when coming up with developments, suggesting that the ministry has other main concerns.
If erected, it would add to the family of statues around Botswana which include others in the likeness of Sir Seretse Khama in Gaborone, Selebi-Phikwe and Serowe, the statue of The Three Dikgosi, and the statue of Bathoen in Kanye.