29 Apr 2014

Women have been urged to take leadership positions in politics, labour unions and other organisations to break gender boundaries.

The director of Iron Rock College, Ms Bassie Mabambe said women would not realise their full potential if they were still confined to the household.

Speaking during Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) gender conference themed Breaking Gender Boundaries, Ms Mabambe said stereotypes were also the greatest barriers for women in leadership.

Ms Mabambe said the lifestyle also held women back because from the olden days, men had always known to be leaders while women remained at home taking care of the children. She cited Margaret Thatcher saying she was named the iron lady because of her firm leadership style and managed to cut across barriers.

For her part, regional principal education officer, Ms Violet Aleck said education played a major role in breaking gender boundaries, hence the need for teachers to sensitise learners on issues of gender equality at an early age.

She said boys and girls should all be exposed to subjects such as art, design and technology as well as Home Economics to move them away from thinking that some subjects were for boys or girls.

The seminar also discussed HIV and wellness in the workplace, gender mainstreaming, marriage in community of property, gender based violence and entrepreneurship as well as leadership in unions. Ends