CEO Van der Merwe shared the insights recently during a panel discussion at the Botswana Stock Exchange Limited (BSEL) March Opening Bell Ceremony held ahead of International Women’s Day. The event was held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” Now in her sixth month as LAHL Group CEO, Van der Merwe said that while some women have been able to work their way into leadership positions, supportive policies and legislation remain crucial in ensuring equal opportunities. She noted that women often face challenges that can hinder career progression, including balancing professional responsibilities with motherhood.
She emphasised that support systems within families and communities are key to ensuring equal opportunities for men and women. “If it doesn’t start at home, in schools and at grassroots levels, it’s not going to happen,” Van der Merwe said. “We need to change things at the grassroots level and also through company and national policies so that opportunities are truly equal.” Van der Merwe added that women sometimes feel discouraged when studies show men possessing more work-related skills in certain sectors. “What needs to be done is to encourage women and support them in those roles. Women need to start supporting each other and working together in the same way men often do,” she said.
