Celebrating International Women’s Day
Friday, March 22, 2024 | 20 Views |
Marked annually on March 8, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, educate, and awareness raise about women’s equality, call for positive change advancing women, lobby for accelerated gender parity, and fundraise for women-focused charities.
The celebration of IWD took on a powerful meaning this year as the French Embassy, in collaboration with the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), organised a series of events centred around women in sports. Held on March 8, these events not only commemorated the achievements of women but also aimed at addressing pressing issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), inclusivity, and breaking stereotypes and obstacles women are subjected to in the sports industry.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...