09 Mar 2022

First Lady Neo Masisi has urged all decision makers to include women and the girl child in the decision-making process.

Ms Masisi, who was speaking during national International Women’s Day commemoration in Tlhareseleele yesterday, noted that climate change had affected rainfall patterns which in turn impacted subsistence farmers who were mostly women.

She said it was therefore important that communities created spaces for women and girls to participate in decision making on climate change, adaptation and mitigation.

“Women and girls are just as capable of bringing positive changes, therefore they should be involved in addressing issues related to climate change,” she said.

The First Lady said the current climate situation called for renewed ideas to address it.

Ms Masisi noted that in Botswana, women relied mostly on natural resources such as firewood, thatching grass and mophane worm which would be lost if not properly looked after resulting in future generations suffering.

All should take care of natural resources so that future generations might benefit from them, she said.

The First Lady stressed the need for solidarity in celebrating all women, acknowledging their sacrifices and determination of ordinary women to continue overcoming obstacles they encountered in their daily lives.

She said the theme: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, recognised the contribution of women and girls around the world to build a sustainable future for all.

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Ms Anna Mokgethi also underscored the importance of celebrating women’s contributions in development as well as recognising the challenges they faced and coming up with solutions.

She said this year’s theme challenged everyone to introspect on gender and climate change issues.

Ms Mokgethi said the effects of climate change made life difficult for women as they were mainly the ones using natural resources to sustain themselves and their families.

Climate change impacts negatively affected women as they ended up depending heavily on their male counterparts, she said.

“Gender equality is the backbone of sustainable developments, economic empowerment and encouraging peace in the world,” Ms Mokgethi said.

She concurred with Ms Masisi that it was imperative for women and girls to be included in decision making because they had a better understanding of  the problems they faced on a daily basis.BOPA