02 Dec 2020

The terms of reference for the special inter-ministerial committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are complete and awaiting announcement, says Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng.

 Debating the State-of-the-Nation Address, Mr Morwaeng, who is also Molepolole South MP, said the proposed terms of reference would equip the committee to deal with how to curb GBV, rape and other sexual offences as a matter of urgency. He said the prevalence of GBV, especially on women and children, was a serious concern that needed consolidated efforts from all stakeholders. Mr Morwaeng said the establishment of the committee and the drafting of the sexual offenders’ bill was a testimony of the government’s commitment to fighting GBV. The MP also commended Batswana for expressing solidarity and unity in response to the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

He said it was pleasing that Batswana were fully behind the government’s commitment to tackle the pandemic.

Government’s prompt information-sharing, he said, was a manifestation of its commitment to unity and cooperation, adding that it enabled the community to gain a head-start in detecting, preventing and combating COVID-19.

Mr Morwaeng highlighted that the long-awaited constitutional review was on the pipeline, saying the process had to be delayed as the nation was still recovering from the general elections. He further applauded government for remaining steadfast on delivering on some of its mandate, citing the construction of the Molepolole kgotla structure which was at the design stage.

 He also welcomed the Molepolole water reticulation project, financed to the tune of P2.6 billion, saying it would relief residents from acute water shortage. He said the completion of the Molepolole development plan was a welcomed development. adding that a 14 hector piece of land had been secured for the construction of the new Molepolole police station.

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile said it was disappointing that youth unemployment remained high and advised on the need to have a road map on how to remedy the situation.

 He attributed the high unemployment rate to the education system, saying it should be capacitated through vocational training centres.

Government, he said, should transform vocational training to deliver entrepreneurship, industry-relevant and indigenous skills related programmes.

He said a lot needed to be done to improve labour relations in the country, pointing out that government dialogue with workers on the review of labour laws was not adequate to close the gaps and align them with the provisions of the International Labour Organisation.

 Mr Kekgonegile further urged government to consider erecting an electric fence in wildlife management areas as a buffer to avoid human wildlife conflict. ends