10 Mar 2019

About 3 725 women have benefited under the Women Economic Empowerment Programme since its inception.

That was said by Minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone when answering a question in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs.

Mr Arone stated that the programme had been and continued to address poverty amongst women by economically empowering them.

The programme, he said, had benefitted women under different sectors such as agro-business, catering and tourism.

He pointed out that the annual budget allocation for the programme had increased over the years form P300 000 in 1998 to P55.2 million to date.

“That clearly demonstrates government’s commitment towards economic empowerment of women,” said Mr Arone.

He further pointed out that to ensure sustainability, the ministry mentored beneficiaries and equipped them with business management skills as well as market access.

Furthermore, he said the programme was being reviewed to make it more relevant to address the targeted group.

Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister if he was aware that the women empowerment initiative was not helping the women of Botswana through the gender affairs programme since allocated funds to cater for the programme was not enough.

MP Majaga also wanted to know what the ministry intended to do to address the issue.

Still in Parliament, Minister Arone explained that there were no classes in Letlhakane Senior Secondary Schools (LSSS) which were without classrooms.

He also clarified that the average class size was 39 pupils per class.

MP Sethomo Lelatisitswe of Boteti East had asked the minister to state how many classes in LSSS were without classrooms and number of pupils per class.

He also wanted the minister to state what happened to the pupils during rainy or winter seasons.

He further wanted to know when more classrooms would be constructed to alleviate the shortfall.

Furthermore, he wanted to know what caused the shortage and when it was experienced as well as when the shortage was first reported to the region and the ministry and the response thereof. ENDS