30 Nov 2015

Botswana National Sports Commission chairperson Solly Reikeletseng has been appointed sport campaign champion for the HeForShe .

HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality that brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity for the benefit of all.

Speaking at the launch recently, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Edwin Batshu  said HeForShe has given men a platform to demonstrate their solidarity and support for their female counterparts.

He said HeForShe was one of those many ways in which people practice their culture and show support through speaking out and taking action against inequalities faced by women and girls.

Minister Batshu further said through the HeForShe programme men are called to come out in support of the girls and women, to demystify the cultural and social clichés that prevent them from achieving their potential.

Furthermore, he said it was important that men and boys enlist as equal partners in the implementation of a shared vision of gender equality, non-violence and respect and form part of the basis for shaping a positive society.

“It is quite commendable that today, the sporting community has made this move. To lead the change and be the catalyst that encourages men in our society to sign up to this programme,” he said.

Through this move, he said, sport has identified its position and role in the fight towards a more gender balanced society, given that he sport community in Botswana boasts a large population of men and boys, a population that is the main driver for the HeForShe programme.

He said it has been identified globally that a society that is more equitable develops faster, where clear commitment was made for gender equality generally more positive results are experienced across industries.

According to Batshu research has proven that countries that have a gender balance in teams at major games are more likely to bring back more medals, hence the programme was a step forward for Botswana towards realising medal counts.

Minister of Youth Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng commended International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), its partners to come up with a good initiative, adding it was in line with the mandate of his ministry to promote equal access to sport and recreation programmes, and it was also government policy to ensure inclusive policy and programming.

He said governance instruments for the running of sport in Botswana include the National Sport Policy of 2001 and the Botswana National Sport Commission Bill, 2014 and both instruments are gender neutral and recognise the contribution of women in sport.

“A key example is provision of the BNSC Act 2014 for a seat on the board specifically for the appointment of a representative of Women and Sport – a seat currently occupied by the deputy chairperson of the Commission Tebogo Kesupile.  ENDS