28 Jul 2015

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu, has been commended for putting before Parliament the National Policy on Gender and Development.

Tati West MP, Mr Biggie Butale supported the policy, noting that the policy would correct historical societal imbalances that had for a long time affected the girl child.

He said it was true that the girl child had been pulled backward probably by the socialisation of the society and culture.

Mr Butale, however, said the issue of gender equality, which the policy tried to address, was greatly associated with culture.

Therefore, he advised that in trying to make the society better, cautiousness should be exercised so that the country would not lose its culture, beliefs and aspirations. 

Gaborone/ Bonnington South MP, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe said the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs deserved credit as objectives of the policy were clear.

Mr Ndaba, however, talked of the issue of governance, saying the fact that the minister was always the one appointing commissioners was not helpful in achieving objectives sought by the minister out of the policy.

Francistown West legislator, Mr Ignatius Moswaane, also supported the policy,  recommending that upon implementation, a lot of issues should be brought in, such as actions to be taken against fathers defaulting on child maintenance.

Mr Moswaane also argued that there had to be a provision in the policy that lustily starring at women was an offence punishable by law. 

Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, MP for Serowe South, said the policy was a welcome development, adding that in history, the girl child was looked down upon and the results today was that a lot had changed, probably because of the education on gender equality.

Dr Venson-Moitoi, also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was evident in schools as females nowadays country excel academically. ENDS