17 Nov 2014

Emang Basadi has made a colossal impact and improvements in the livelihoods of many women in Botswana.

Speaking at a needs assessment consultative meeting with the community held at Lehututu in Kgalagadi District, Emang Basadi coordinator, Ms Segametsi Modisaotsile said their non-partisan organisation was formed in 1986 with the main mandate of advocating for equality of rights between men and women.

Prior to the formation of Emang Basadi, she said there were some loopholes in various laws of Botswana which disadvantaged women citing an example of the old marriage act. She stressed that it gave men in marriage of community of properties too much marital power which sometimes resulted in abuse.

Moreover, she said in yester years women were not paid their remunerations while on the maternity leave which was corrected through the voice of their organisation.  In addition, she said they were still advocating for paternity leave because that is the critical time when women need their male counterparts mostly.

Ms Modisaotsile said the laws of Botswana have been left in the hands of trade unions and courts for interpretation; however their organisation has legal education initiative to equip women with basic knowledge of laws.

She said other initiatives include voter education as prior to national elections they embarked on teaching Batswana the significance of voting in democracy.  She further highlighted that they gave support to women in politics by orientating and teaching them public speaking.

‘’I hope you saw the advert of honourable councillor Tlhage and Matebu in the media.  That shows how supportive we are to women in politics’’ she said.

Ms Modisaotsile encouraged women to join Emang Basadi in large numbers, adding they give advice on issues of abuse and help with legal representation and reconciliation if possible.  She said their joining and annual subscription fees are very reasonable as they understand the economic status of majority of women in Botswana.

She advice people to desist from treating their organisation as dictating how couples must run their families, adding that people should come to their offices to have primary information about their roles not depend on hearsays.

The meeting was held under the objective of developing a cordial working relationship with communities. ENDS