28 Jun 2017

The Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs is convinced that harnessing the productive potential of women is the only way that guarantees complete results in growing Botswana’s economy.

Speaking during the 17th Women’s Exposition Business Forum held in Gaborone on June 27,  permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Banny Molosiwa said as ‘Mosadi ele thari ya sechaba, there is a dire need for concerted effort towards empowerment of women by providing them with income generation skills and technical skills training.”

Ms Molosiwa stated these would enhance their accessibility to jobs, market, capital, land ownership and control over resources adding that “go ruta mosadi ke go ruta sechaba.”

She said by advancing equal opportunity and removing structural barriers to women’s economic empowerment, they would be reducing inequality and increase inclusive growth.

Ms Molosiwa pointed out that her ministry is committed to the empowerment of women hence they continue to provide services and that are desiring to continue hosting the expo on annual basis.

She mentioned that they were aware that sometimes women were held back by lack of information and financial literacy.

She nevertheless revealed that to address the gap, her ministry supported training and skills development of women entrepreneurs on procurement processes, advocacy for inclusive public procurement and regulations.

She further stated that the ministry also convenes dialogue platforms with financial institutions and other key stakeholders to advance women’s participation in procurement.

She therefore urged women to take such lessons seriously so as to produce good results everywhere.

“We want quality products and please put reasonable prices” she pleaded.

Ms Molosiwa further mentioned that they intended to focus more on promoting women’s access to markets outside the country.

“In its dual role as buyer and policy maker, government and related public organisations provide an opportunity to help shape and increase the participation of women-owned businesses in procurement markets” she stated.

The expo is held under a theme “bold for change in accessing greater markets” which Ms Molosiwa said indicated a desire to change the way they have been doing business, saying it is high time they take centre stage in their daily operations.

She mentioned that there is a shift in marketing strategies, where technology is now the main vehicle of doing business.

“You should now start advertising on twitter, facebook, whatsup and other social media” she told them, adding that just like a song of Ratsie Setlhako of  “A re chencheng” there is a need for a change.

Ms Molosiwa also highlighted that the government of Botswana has long committed to the empowerment of women and as such has come up with special measures in favour of women when procuring by government.

She therefore urged women to take advantage of that arrangement of 20 percent of all government procurement reserved for the youth and women owned business.

She also decried some cheating by some women saying after they have been funded they use business funds for their personal gain such as buying vehicles, saying that should stop. ENDS