Political women face cultural barriers
Friday, February 07, 2014
When she was sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) this week, Dr Habaudi Njiro Hobona made history as the first woman MP from the ranks of the opposition since Botswana's independence. Botswana Congress Party’s Dr. Hobona, representing Francistown West, increases the number of women MPs to five in a Parliament of 61 legislators.
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...