08 Mar 2020

Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) celebrated International Women’s Day in a unique fashion on March 6 by hosting a panel discussion of women in top management positions as part of the bell ringing ceremony.

A panelist, Mascom chief executive officer (CEO) Ms Dzene Makhwade-Seboni, said a mixed score-card on women’s rights achievements was evident across the country.

She said the rise of women to senior management positions across the corporate sector was a noteworthy example of the milestones women had reached in gender parity.

Ms Makhwade-Seboni however said gender diversity discussions still needed to be made for the proliferation of women’s rights.

In addition, she said strategic inroads needed to be made in involving men in discussions about gender parity.

She called for the formation of a strong network of both men and women to help achieve milestones for gender inclusivity at national as well as corporate level.

Meanwhile, Debswana Pension Fund CEO, Ms Gosego January said it was important to recognise gender issues as a national treatise in order to reduce the percentage of marginalised women and girl children.

Ms January also said it was time to critically assess previously held societal views of women’s roles in order to change the stereotypes that women could suit certain job portfolios at the exclusion of others.

On women and girl empowerment issues, director of ETF South Africa, Ms Nerina Visser said the visible appointment of women to top positions across the social chain was validity that improvements on gender issues was taking place. 

However, she said although women were increasingly taking up senior positions, they were currently trailing behind men in terms of salaries and seniority.

She noted that diversity in age, gender and cognitive skills were important in supporting and empowering women to overcome their marginalised status. ENDS