30 Oct 2025

Combating gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting equality needs concerted efforts by all stakeholders across government, civil society organisations and the communities. 

This therefore, challenges  all stakeholders to unite and collectively commit to rebuilding a culture of respect and accountability in order to reclaim the moral strength of the society, says Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Ms Lesego Chombo.

Presenting the Youth Development and Gender Mainstreaming Chapter of the Draft National Plan 12 (NDP 12) to Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Chombo regretted that the loss of respect for humanity has resulted not only with many women and children living in fear, but in extension with broken families.

Minister Chombo also noted that the rising number of GBV cases also called for targeted economic empowerment initiatives that would not only promote self-reliance for women, but also enable them to play a role in the country’s economic transformation aspirations.

“Government will scale up women’s economic empowerment initiatives by ensuring funding support, improved access to finance and developing modern market places for women entrepreneurs.  These interventions aim to promote fair access to economic opportunities to enable women to transition from informal to formal enterprises and to enhance their participation in productive sectors,” she noted.

She attributed women’s economic limitations to various factors including discrimination, low wages and cultural norms, among others. Ms Chombo said these factors contributed to their vulnerability and susceptibility to violence from their male counterparts.

Furthermore, Minister Chombo noted that government would scale up gender responsive budgeting in an endeavour to ensure that various groups of society were accommodated in the national budget.

She said plans were underway to revive the National Gender Commission, which was mandated with the coordination, monitoring and accountability toward advancing gender equality.

Ms Chombo also said the rejuvenated commission would ensure gender mainstreaming in various national processes including planning, budgeting and implementation in all sectors of the economy.

In addition to aligning Botswana’s legal statutes with regional and international instruments, Ms Chombo said the envisioned gender equality legislation and national gender strategy were expected to drive gender equality to ensure an inclusive and just society.

“Government is advancing plans to develop gender equality legislation and a national gender strategy, both of which will serve as critical instruments in promoting gender equality, protecting rights and fostering a society that is just, inclusive and free from all forms of discrimination and violence,” she said.

On political representation, the minister noted that gender biases, unequal access to resources and stereotypes contributed to the low number of women in political roles.

She said the NDP would create an inclusive environment where women, men and youth had equal opportunities to participate and benefit from the country’s economic and political development. ENDS