21 Jun 2023

Botswana is a recipient of a peace award from a Belgium based Women Political Leaders organisation, in recognition of the stance it took to empower women by appointing them into position of leadership.

The award bestowed on Botswana June 7, was received by President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Office of the President on Wednesday, from Botswana’s Ambassador in Belgium, Ms Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba.

Dr Masisi expressed gratitude for the award which he said the country was proud to receive as it was testimony of the milestones it had achieved in uplifting its democratic principles demonstrated by how it provided for its people.

He said the award demonstrated how Botswana was moving forth, by not only empowering deserving women but ensuring that its people were equally rewarded, a path he promised to continue during his tour of duty.

In a thriving democracy like Botswana, where slightly over half of its population are women and girls, the country must surely commit to their development by accordingly awarding those deserving, said Dr Masisi, adding that government was committed to develop women politically.

He added that a true democracy must heed issues of gender equality saying, Botswana would not be seen as a shining example of democracy if its policies and programmes were not gender inclusive. As such, Dr Masisi said, he was determined to appoint and promote more women on political representation and other spheres.

Dr Masisi said Ms Masire-Mwamba was a typical example of what the country was doing to appoint deserving women in positions of leadership.

Having received the award on behalf of Botswana, Ms Masire-Mwamba said the award recognised the country as being among  the peaceful countries in the world as indicated by the Global Peace Index.

Ms Masire-Mwamba said other recipients of the award included Iceland, Ireland, Canada, Japan and Bulgaria. She said the organisation aimed to promote women political leadership globally.

Women Political Leaders is a non-profit making organisation established in 2013 by Ms Silvana Koch-Mehrin, who was Vice President of the European Parliament (2004-2014) and a Young Global Leader Alumni of the World Economic Forum. Ends