26 Jun 2019

First Lady Neo Masisi says government recognises the need to empower women.

Officially opening the 20th Women’s Expo in Gaborone on Tuesday, Ms Masisi noted that government had over the years significantly channeled resources for the empowerment of women.

She said the empowerment would ensure that women equally contributed to the socio-economic and political development of the country.

She also noted that women’s economic empowerment had increased over the years, adding that it started with P300 000 annually to P28 million currently.

Ms Masisi said although the budget was not enough to address the need for participation, it was commendable of government.

She, therefore, implored women to prove that they need more by providing sustainable and viable products.

Ms Masisi said women entrepreneurs had the ability for greater contributions to economic development, job creation and social inclusion.

She said if the entrepreneurship gender gap was closed, global GDP could rise by two per cent annually.

She said platforms such as the exposition could bear testimony to government’s commitment to address the economic empowerment of women.

Held under theme: #Positioning womem entrepreneurs in the digital era, Ms Masisi urged women entrepreneurs to use modern technologies to effectively penetrate global trade.

She explained to participants at the exposition that technology was no longer a luxury but a necessity, adding that they should use it to market their businesses and products.

Ms Masisi added that technology should enable new businesses to grow and help improve productivity by ensuring better communication and information flow.

She noted that government had through Vision 2036 committed to strengthening the ICT sector.

For her part, BOFINET board member, Ms Yolisa Philips said at BOFINET they recognised the impact and contribution of women in all industries and businesses.

Ms Philips also said women in Botswana could leverage on information and communication technologies for personal security, better access to education and jobs, financial inclusion and access to health information.

Ms Philips also said they had a number of initiatives at BOFINET aimed at supporting women in various fields.

The exposition attracted participants from the southern and other parts of the Central District. ENDS