The Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Hon. Lesego Chombo, visited the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Helen Manyeneng, and the Assistant Minister in the Office of the President, Hon. Maipelo Mophuting, to provide an update on gender and development initiatives to the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus.
During the briefing, Hon. Chombo highlighted ongoing revisions to the National Policy on Gender and Development. The policy seeks to address pressing issues, including gender-based violence, political and economic empowerment, unpaid care work, disability inclusion, education, health, and the involvement of men in reproductive health, HIV/AIDS care, mental health, and promoting positive masculinity.
The Ministry is also collaborating with the World Bank to develop a National Gender Strategy. This framework aims to ensure gender mainstreaming across all sectors, reinforcing Botswana’s commitment to equitable development.
Legal reforms form a critical part of the initiatives. A Gender-Based Violence Bill is currently in development, focusing on prevention, protection, care, and support. The bill targets root causes of gender-based violence and provides comprehensive measures for addressing these challenges.
Hon. Chombo emphasized that these initiatives align with international standards and Botswana’s national priorities. They reaffirm the government’s dedication to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive development across all levels of society.
The Parliamentary Women’s Caucus expressed support for the updates, noting the importance of legislative and policy reforms in achieving lasting social change. These efforts signal a strengthened national approach to addressing gender disparities and promoting inclusive growth.
