26 Jan 2020

Women have been urged to take part in politics.

Speaking at a two-day women in politics workshop in Palapye recently Maun West councillor Ms Matlagomang Mauchaza said observed that there were few women in council and in Parliament, saying women should believe in themselves and take part in politics.

The worskop was organised by Gender Links for Equality and Justice in collaboration with Botswana Association of Local Authorities, European Union, British High Commission, Gender Affairs Department, IEC and BOCONGO.

She said that there were lot of intelligent and strong women in the country but they were afraid to take part in politics as they believed that politics were for men.

She encouraged political parties to give women a platform to be candidates.

Ms Mauchaza said women should not be hindered to take part in politics. “We need more women in leadership positions to serve the nation and so that our voice will be heard“, she said.

For her part Ms Charity Keobokile-Baleseng who contested as a council candidate in the 2019 general elections at Tshikhikyega ward in Mahalapye said women were not supportive of each other adding that there was lack of support from women who were already in political positions.

She said she had encountered a lot of challenges where other women questioned why she wanted to enter into politics at a young age.

Ms Baleseng said lack of resources like money and campaign teams also hit them hard. 

"No one will help you or sponsor you because of lack of believe in you as a woman. Business relationships will sour because you took part in politics, everyone will reject you because you chose to take part in politics but all this are caused by women," she said.

She said men support each other, they would stand by each other until they made it, calling on women to do the same.

Ms Baleseng urged women to support each other and work very hard to serve the nation, noting that she would continue to educate herself more on women in politics, gender based issues and HIV/AIDS so that she would stand for them.

Ms Baleseng said she would not give up but stand strong and contest again in 2024 general elections. 

She thanked gender links for the eye opening workshop. ends