Women and the political glass ceiling
Friday, August 07, 2015
Sole voice: Tshireletso (in turquoise dress and hat) is among the few women MPs
Botswana prides itself as a beacon of peace and democracy in Africa, and is ranked well relative to most nations globally. As a result, the landlocked country continues to be highly regarded by the international community.
Despite strides in developmental undertakings, as reflected through provision of universal education, promotion of maternal health, and being the first African country to reduce HIV/AIDS deaths through the rolling out of free Anti-Retroviral Drugs, women in Botswana languish at the bottom of almost every sectoral indicator.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...