The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs hosted Botswana’s 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations at Moshana village in the Kanye District, bringing together community members, traditional leaders, and government officials. Hon. Lesego Chombo addressed the community, highlighting the theme for this year: “Give to Gain: Advancing Justice, Equality and Empowerment for Women and Girls.” She explained that the theme calls on governments, organizations, and partners to invest time, finances, skills, and infrastructure to empower women and girls. Minister Chombo emphasized that empowering women has a multiplier effect, benefiting families, communities, and the nation as a whole. The event underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to create an environment where women can thrive and contribute fully to society.
During her address, Minister Chombo acknowledged that women in Botswana and globally continue to face discrimination, violence, and systemic inequalities. She stressed that the government recognizes the gaps within the justice system and is taking active steps to strengthen legal and policy frameworks. Specific attention is being given to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, with efforts to accelerate processing and improve access to justice. The Minister highlighted that addressing these challenges requires collaboration between government, civil society, and community leaders. She reinforced the message that protecting women’s rights is central to advancing equality and social progress.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Wenyan Yang, commended Botswana for promoting gender equality, noting that the country ensures equal rights for men and women in marriage and property ownership. She highlighted that both boys and girls have equal access to education, which lays the foundation for long-term empowerment. Despite these achievements, she acknowledged that gaps remain, particularly in ensuring that policies translate into equitable opportunities for all women and girls. Her remarks emphasized the importance of continued investment in education, skills development, and economic participation to close remaining disparities.
Local leadership also contributed to the discussion on challenges facing women and youth. Seate Marumo raised concerns about rising drug and substance abuse among youth, particularly young women. He noted that substance abuse has led to increased cases of child abandonment and a lack of motivation among young women to pursue livelihood opportunities. The chief urged community engagement and support programs to address these issues, emphasizing that social challenges must be tackled alongside legal and policy interventions. His input highlighted the importance of integrating traditional leadership into national efforts to promote youth development and gender empowerment.
The National Gender Commission representative, Mebewe Njiramanda, reinforced the significance of the 2026 theme, describing it as a call to make women and girls a strategic priority in development planning. She emphasized that investing in women’s empowerment accelerates economic growth, strengthens social cohesion, and promotes sustainable development. By supporting education, health, and economic opportunities for women and girls, the nation can create resilient communities capable of driving long-term progress. The event concluded with a shared commitment from government, traditional leaders, and development partners to implement programs that protect women’s rights, expand opportunities, and address social challenges, ensuring that Botswana continues to advance justice, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls.
