16 May 2017

Civil societies have contributed a lot towards the signing of the SADC protocol on gender and development, says Ms Ntombi Setshwaelo.     

Speaking at the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO) press briefing recently, Ms Setshwaelo, who is also a Gender Links board member, noted that the review of all laws affecting the status of women in Botswana was adopted in 1998.

She added that it was a joint effort of the government and non-governmental organisations following successful lobbying by the latter.

She said the strong women’s movement had also succeeded in persuading the government not to pass discriminatory laws.

She added that although the abolition and amendment of such laws was slow, the exercise was finally completed a few years ago.

Ms Setshwaelo emphasised that the review of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development created a platform for dialogue and debate between SADC ministers and the organisations gender unit.

She highlighted that the reviewed protocol encompassed 10 thematic areas which include constitutional and legal rights, governance (representation and participation), education and training, gender based violence, health, sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, peace building and conflict resolution and climate change.

For her part, Ms Elsie Alexander, who is a member of Putting Women First, said the birth of the SADC protocol came about after negotiations with the government and other stakeholders so that it could be adopted.

She highlighted that civil societies contributed a lot, particularly Emang Basadi as the SADC structure was convinced that the gender protocol was needed.

For her part, Dr Sethunya Mosime, who is a member of Letsema Support Group for Women in Politics, said it was appropriate to celebrate the good work done by activists. ENDS