Speaker thwarts factional collusion

However, in a surprise move, the Speaker granted the floor to the mover of the bill, the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Margaret Nasha, to debate despite protests from the House. MPs argued that it was unprocedural to grant her the floor while she is the owner of the bill.

She went ahead nonetheless, and for more than two hours Nasha ridiculed her male counterparts who have opposed the bill, labelling them cowards who feel threatened by the participation of women in politics. She said Batswana must change their attitude towards articulate and independent women in society. "It is mental slavery in this country. When a woman displays characteristics of independence, she is labelled all sorts of degrading names like Tsogareomane, Gaatsane and Poo. This is not fair on us," she lamented.