The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Women’s League president Tshimologo Dingake, who retained her seat, says it is time for political women to stand up for their rights and position in politics.
The theme of the BCP Women’s League conference was, ‘Women Arise’. When addressing members at the party elective conference for women over the weekend, Dingake said how things unfold in the country is no longer business as usual to all people.
She said people who are given the power to protect the economy of the country are no longer doing that. “Lehatshe la rona le latlhegetswe ke boleng jwa lone. Boeteledipele jo re nang najo bo lolea. Boeteledipele ke jone bo hang lehatshe boleng. It is time as women we take action since no one is not even sure about his/her pension. I am talking to political women who want to fight for the deliberation of our nation.
Our children will demand answers from us and would want to know what we have done to make things change. If we are not taking action, then we are going to learn the hard way because all of us are going to face the consequences,” Dingake said.
She said only women could stand up in one voice and fight for their rights. Furthermore, Dingake urged women to support each other to build the country and to ensure that they stop corruption, which is happening.
She said if women are united, then they could also win some political positions that they want and ascend to other government positions. She said in the 2024 General Elections, women in opposition must speak in one voice and find a way to help each other.
However, she advised women that they can no longer approach things the way they used to as a lot of things had changed politically and even their understanding of issues.
Dingake said women can also do better in leadership positions and encouraged them to believe in themselves.
BCP's newly elected women’s league include president Dingake (president), Ethel Gampone (vice president), Gape Kakale Mapii (chairperson ), Kebaneile Machaya (secretary-general), Omphile Ramakoko (deputy secretary-general), Boitumelo Setimela (treasurer), Lagage Tamocha (information and publicity), Kagiso Daniel (political education), Portia Johane (national organising) and three additional members Keikantse Molefhi, Florah Makiwane and Catherine Maekopo.
