Debswana OLDMs commemorate International Women's Day

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday March 19, 2019 12:00

Some panelist during OLDM International Women's Day-Counselor and Life Coach Ntombi Setshwaelo Debswana Corporate centre Lead risk Manager Tefo Setlhare and Debswana OLDM Audit and Services Manager Tsholof

Motlhabani urged women to work towards unearthing their potential in different spheres of life so that they can improve their economic status. However, she noted that the journey would be difficult as society pressures women according to cultural expectations.

She added that a panel of experts has demonstrated that it is possible to grow as individuals in the corporate field, entrepreneurship, social issues, etiquette, personal branding and spirituality.

“The lineup today brings in industry leaders, social entrepreneurs, gender equality activists and women innovators to examine the way in which innovation can remove barriers and accelerate progress for gender equality,” she said.

Motlhabani added that the panel discussions would leave Debswana OLDMs women and men empowered and challenged to introspect and make a commitment on how they were going to make a difference in matters of gender diversity and inclusion.

De Beers Global Sightholder, Midstream Head of Human Resource Matlhogonolo Mponang facilitated the first plenary session under the message ‘You are the key: Wake up and smell the coffee.’ During the first session, one of the panelists, a counselor, life coach and Gender Equality and human rights activist Ntombi Setshwaelo said women were key and capable of changing their situations.

Setshwaelo said 90% of women are consumers of diamonds but it was a sad situation that only 24% of the workforce in Debswana OLDMs remains women. Therefore, she said that there was a need for women to stand for themselves so that they can balance for better.

Setshwaelo spoke about the formation of Emang Basadi women’s association, which came into existence to lobby against laws that discriminated women in Botswana. She said through Emang Basadi they managed to fight for women so that they can work in the mines and recruited in the army.

Another plenary session was under the topic ‘Gender Diversity and Inclusion’ and moderated by Debswana head of human resource Lebole Mpho Mokoto. She said it was essential for women to strive and prepare themselves for management positions.

The event, which was held at Orapa Golf Course on March 16, attracted multitudes of Debswana OLDMs female employees and the general public from the locality. The international women’s day commemoration was held under the theme ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change’.