01 Nov 2022

The Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYGSC) Mr Tumiso Rakgare will on November 18 launch the International Men’s Day (IMD) , at Salajwe village in the Kweneng District. 

Briefing the media in Gaborone on Monday the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Mr Kitso Kemoeng said they would be commemorating Gender days for the first time as a new ministry. 

He explained that the IMD was intended to celebrate men’s achievements and contributions in particular, their contributions to community, family, marriage and child care. 

Mr Kemoeng said the day is globally commemorated on November 19 every year and for logistical purposes this year, Botswana took a deliberate decision to celebrate it on November 18. 

The day themed ‘promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity’ would start with a march around the village at 0630Hours and thereafter, people would converge at the main Kgotla where the programme would start, he said. 

“The theme challenges us as a nation to have honest and direct dialogue on the positive attributes of men, their accountability and responsibility in nation building and the general development of their communities and the country at large. The theme further requires us to reflect on positive masculinity where men use their energy to positively impact their families, communities and the nation at large,” he said. 

Meanwhile MYGSC Assistant Minister Mr Buti Billy would on November 25 officially launch the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence at Gakhibana village in the Kgalagadi District, he said. 

He explained that the theme of the day ‘unite to end violence against women and children’ followed the United Nations Secretary General’s call to end violence against women by 2030. 

Mr Kemoeng further told the media that in their effort to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, cabinet would on November 15, play a formidable  football side whose identity he would not reveal yet.

He said the game that would be held at the national stadium in the evening was intended to amplify messages against GBV and lobby the public to stand in solidarity in the fight against the evil. 

He urged all key stakeholders and the entire population to fight violence against women and girls. Ends