Cabinet misunderstood protocol

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Friday November 26, 2010 00:00

Yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and International Cooperation Phandu Skelemani, stressed in an interview they would not sign because the protocol states that the government should provide widows with employment.

'We are not saying the protocol is bad. We don't agree with just one article in that protocol which says we shall give women employment,' he said.

However, article 10 of the protocol, titled as 'widows and widowers' rights' states that both the widow and widower shall be protected.  Sub article one of the article says that 'state parties shall enact and enforce legislation to ensure that widows are not subjected to inhuman, humiliating or degrading treatment; a widow automatically becomes the guardian and custodian of her children when her husband dies, unless otherwise determined by a competent court of law; a widow shall have the right to continue to live in matrimonial house after her husband's death; a widow shall have access to employment and other opportunities to enable her to make a meaningful contribution to society; a widow shall have the right to an equitable share in the inheritance of the property of her husband; a widow shall have the right to remarry any person of her choice; and a widow shall have protection against all forms of violence and discrimination based on her status.'

Sub article two of the article says that 'states parties shall put in place legislative measure to ensure that widowers enjoy the same rights as widows under sub article one.' 

Nonetheless, Skelemani has said that they would not sign since they do not have jobs for 'women.'  'The protocol does not say people who have lost their spouses, it says that women who have lost their husbands should be given jobs.  We are not going to be able to provide widows with jobs,' he said.  Again, he stressed that they are not moved by the fact that Botswana is one of the only two countries that have not signed the protocol because even those who have signed have not domesticated it. 'Countries have signed but they have not ratified it, to vow that they will actually domesticate it and make it part of their laws,' he said. 

BOCONGO holds that both the Cabinet and the public needs to be educated about the protocol. Chigedze Chinyepi, BOCONGO gender and development sector coordinator says that they have requested to meet with the President to discuss issues of the protocol.  Again, they are planning on a nationwide tour to lobby and educate the public about the protocol.