21 Jul 2019

Historically the world over, women participation in many aspects of society has been disproportionate to that of men including that of business.

Nevertheless, trends are changing.

Speaking at the 7th Women’s Power High Tea, hosted by Business Botswana in Gaborone on July 20 , First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi highlighted that women were forces to reckon with around the world and in the work spaces.

“Barriers are being broken, mindsets are shifting, women are breaking records and we see them in the lead,” said Ms Masisi.

She pointed out that President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his State of the Nation Address, highlighted that government continued to eliminate gender barriers and remained committed to continuous interrogation of government structures and processes to promote gender equity.

She therefore pleaded with women to take the advantage of such.

Ms Masisi said similarly, Vision 2036 desired a Botswana that men and women would have equal opportunities to actively participate in the economy, social, cultural and political development of their country.She said Botswana had progressed on the issue, adding according to Master Cards Index of women entrepreneurship, 34.6 per cent of businesses in Botswana were owned by women, making the country one of the top performing countries in that regard.

Ms Masisi pointed out that at national level, government had come up with several programmes aimed at empowering women, citing as an example the Women Economic Empowerment programme, which supported women entrepreneurs.

Further, she said President Masisi indicated his vision for a new ministry of small businesses, adding such had many indications.

She said women should be asking themselves where they fit in the new scheme of things, adding ‘they should be repositioning themselves at personal level, as entrepreneurs also take advantage of the new structure’.

Meanwhile, Ms Masisi called on the private sector to play a deliberate role in the economy development of the country.

She said the private sector had the power to bring transformative change by creating women employers.

Notwithstanding, she hailed the private sector (companies) that appointed women board members.

She said women should thus be given full support to remain competitive.

The theme of the event was ‘Unleashing the Diva in You’ and brought together aspiring business women to network and learn from each other as they connected with other progressive dynamic established business women in Botswana.Ms Lulu Rasebotsa stated that work life balance existed and it was something one had to create intentionally and maintain.

She therefore urged Batswana to balance time with career, health, family and friends saying they would be then be fulfilled in life.

Another speaker, on health and wellness, Dr Tumi Mphusu told women in business that they were the ones to determine and dictate what came out of their lives, hence encouraged them never to give up. ENDS