“Go ruta Mosadi ke go ruta Sechaba”
Democracy Works Foundation Botswana, together with the US Embassy in Botswana, embarked on launched of the first cohort of women who participated in the pioneering capacity development support programme, Capacity Enhancement for the Political Advancement of Women (CEPAW), under Democracy Works Foundation Academy Botswana.
The well attended ceremony held on the 18th of October 2021, at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre, Gaborone, with guests comprising the US Embassy, political party leaders and Independent Electoral Commissions (IEC) representatives.
CEPAW aims to increase the role and influence of women participating in political institutions and decision-making in Botswana by building a platform for the emergence of women political leaders and strengthening the capacity of current women’s networks and groups across the political spectrum.
Addressing the guests and participants, IEC Manager: Elections Affairs and Field Operations, Mr Dintle Sparkie Rapoo in the IEC, commended the Democracy Works Foundation initiative as being essential and re-iterated the importance of men in powerful positions in ensuing that women are treated fairly and democratically.
“We acknowledge that political parties would not succeed without the contribution of women. They put in the work, but never rise to essential seats in parliament. We hope that skills development projects like this will help build a strong community and network of women in politics. Go ruta basadi, ke go ruta Sechaba.”
Speaking on behalf of political parties, as a non-partisan ally to women politicians, Mr Moeti Caesar Mohwasa called for radical change in political parties, “Political parties can’t continue politicising women’s rights and representation in decision-making positions. All sources of power still lie with men, and we need a radical change in our policies and culture.”
The CEPAW programme also includes an initiative to capacitate media practitioners in
becoming more active in advocating, influencing and supportive of women in their editorial approach.
Democracy Works Foundation (DWF) is a southern African non-profit organisation focused on democracy development in the region. With headquarters in South Africa, DWF works through its country offices to provide tools to develop resilient democracies. DWF is legally registered in Botswana as a non-profit organisation.
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For media engagement and interviews, contact:
Botswana: Yvonne Kgwarae, project officer – ykgwarae@democracyworksfoundation.org | or
South Africa: Lerato Maloka, communications coordinator – lerato@democracyworksfoundation.org