03 Apr 2022

Women have been encouraged to stay focused in whatever they want to achieve despite challenges and disparagements encountered. Minister of Finance and Economic Development Ms Peggy Serame said this at a Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) High Tea event in Palapye on April 1. 

Minister Serame appreciated MCM for the women’s High Tea, through which they celebrated their cultural, political and socio-economic achievements. 

She said in March, the world celebrated international women’s Day under the theme: ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow, #BreakTheBias’, by which humanity was encouraged to break prejudices against women in families, communities, workplaces and learning institutions. 

“This will result in us living in a gender-equal society and in a world that is diverse and inclusive,’’ said Ms Serame. 

She said the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most challenging times for women as caregivers and heads of households, as most of them had to carry the burden of support and care, in the process suffering immense emotional and financial difficulties. 

Ms Serame applauded MCM for its contribution to the fight against the pandemic. She applauded all MCM women for not being intimidated and for being a part of a male dominated sector, especially during the pandemic.

 “I would like to call upon women of MCM, Palapye and the nation at large to remember that indeed Mosadi ke thari ya sechaba,” she said. 

The rise and fall of the nation, she said, was in the hands of women hence the need for them to stand up and lead.

She said to achieve that, women must strive to take care of their bodies, souls and minds to develop themselves, rise above the issues that separated or divided them, be united and be each other’s keeper. 

“I have no doubt that the best is yet to come for the women of Botswana and the whole nation, Bomme let us continue to shine,” she urged. 

For her part, Kgosi Martha Lebang of Palapye thanked MCM for arranging the special event, noting that by empowering women they were empowering a nation. 

Kgosi Lebang cited gender based violence as a pandemic similar to COVID-19, and which was exacerbated by lack of empowerment of women. Palapye Administrative Authority chairperson, 

Ms Khumoyame Lekoko told women that only they could determine the direction they needed to take, and urged them to associate with people who could build them. 

The MCM High Tea Event was held under the theme: Taking care of our Families during the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic. BOPA