13 Mar 2017

 The Minister of Nationality Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu is in New York, United States of America to attend the 61 st session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 61).

A news release from the ministry states that the commission is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

“The commission therefore plays an instrumental role in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women,” states the release.

It states that the objective of this session is mainly to engage delegates in dialogue on ‘Women Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work’ as well as the challenges women and the girl child face in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

As the custodian of gender issues in Botswana, Mr Batshu will participate in round table topics where he will mainly engage in discussion on the status of Botswana women economic empowerment programmes.

The minister is accompanied by high ranking officials from government ministries, parastatal and the private sector as well as civil society organisations.  He is expecetd back on March 18. ENDS