18 Aug 2015

If women of the world unite and proffer a singular voice in advocacy for their communities, cohesive communities and a world free of conflict and strife is possible in our life time.

These words were said by Ms Mabel Moyo, area president for Associated Country Women of The World - Southern Africa on the sidelines of a recent Botswana Council of Women (BCW) congress that was held in Palapye.

The Zimbabwe- born Ms Moyo has been involved with voluntary organisations that advocate for the girl child and women empowerment for the last 30 years.

The work has seen her traverse the globe to gather a lot of experience and insights in the field.

She was quick to point out that women empowerment and advocacy should not be misconstrued for being an aspiration to undermine men as traditional heads of households.

According to her, empowerment for women shouldn’t be seen as a tension rouser. She therefore women to make men understand. This could be achieved by starting within the family set up: Women who care for their families can easily mother the whole community.

Ms Moyo, who spent the last three decades as a volunteer in women empowerment organisations, recalled how difficult it was in yester years to convince people that advocating for women empowerment did not in any way seek to sideline men folk nor trample upon their rights.

She highlighted the need for women to stand each other in good stead in order to uplift their communities. She further stated that the spirit of volunteerism is the cloth on which social cohesion is hinged.

Ms Moyo was a guest speaker at the Botswana Council of Women congress and her presence, she said, was proof that her mother organisation had a cordial relationship with its affiliates in over 70 nations globally.

On a personal note she said her relationship with BCW was an intimate one as she had worked with all its leadership from the time when it was conceived.

Ms Moyo congratulated BCW for aptly theming their congress: Working Together For A Better Future, especially that all eyes are cast on the upcoming tri-annual world conference that will be held in Warwick, London next year.

Such gatherings are platforms for tangible partnerships that will hopefully influence local and international decisions on women empowerment. ENDS