14 Aug 2022

The newly-launched Botswana National Gender Commission is expected to start a new gender agenda that will bring women and girls the much desired equality.

Launched in Gaborone Thursday, the commission is tasked with advising government on gender issues particularly on policy development and service delivery.

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr Tumiso Rakgare said the 16 commissioners were expected to develop smart interventions for mindset change and inspire people to develop positive attitudes for gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

He noted that government constantly reviewed laws and policies to address gender gaps identified at any level. 

“Efforts in this regard include adoption of the Sexual Offenders Registry Act of 2021 which amongst others, provides for stiffer penalties against offenders and the recording of names and particulars of all persons convicted of sexual offences,” he said.

Other initiatives, Mr Rakgare said,  were the establishment of a gender and child protection branch within Botswana Police Service as well as special courts.

Minister Rakgare said it was promising that since establishment of the branch in December 2020, 51 per cent of registered cases had been heard and concluded.

Speaking on behalf of other commissioners, the commission’s chairperson, Judge Sanji Monageng expressed gratitude for the confidence government had in them.

Saying the commission was of utmost national importance, Judge Monageng said she was glad all the commissioners were talented and experienced individuals.

She explained that the commission’s duties included monitoring policy implementation as well as providing guidance and support on the promotion of gender equality and justice within and outside government.

Describing the commission’s mandate as a mammoth task,  she  however gave the assurance that it would be handled diligently to ensure that women, girls, men and boys’ lives continued to improve.

Judge Monageng commended the gender affairs department which she said was staffed by highly experienced professionals who interrogated gender issues exceptionally well.

“Their knowledge of issues is amazing and this will make our task easy and we will be able to attain Sustainable Development Goals particularly, goal five which strives to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,” she stated.

Judge Monageng called for the participation of all key stakeholders the war against gender based violence currently haunting the country.

She applauded government and different stakeholders for being at the forefront in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

 Judge Monageng hailed pioneers who had been at the forefront of addressing GBV issues and advocating for gender equality and the establishment of a national structure.Ends