Botswana is planning to increase the number of women in public office to move more in line with other Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. 

According to President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the government is committed to fighting stereotypes impeding women's equal opportunities for years.

“Since 2018, my government has been breaking down barriers and shattering gender stereotypes as seen by the strategic rise in the number of women in leadership and decision-making positions,” Masisi stated.

“We remain firm and committed to achieving gender equality in development, sustainable peace, and good governance. My government and I are proud of and committed to this, honouring the courage, strength, and resilience of all Batswana women,” the president added.

Masisi went on to say that the government is determined to do more to uplift and empower Batswana women.

“We remain committed to closing the gender gap; by increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making positions. I am very proud of the progress we have made as a government,” he stated.

After the general elections in 2019, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) nominated four women as specially elected Members of Parliament (SEMPs) for the six available roles, CAJ News Africa reports.

“A lot can and will still be done, especially around empowering young women to grow into leadership positions. This is a commitment we made as the BDP, a commitment we are indebted to. I am also very happy to see the recent private sector appointments of women in leadership, I congratulate them,” Masisi said.

Following Masisi’s presidential election win, among the women in top government roles are Linah Mohohlo (first female chancellor for the University of Botswana in 2018), Tebelelo Seretse (2021 University of Botswana Chancellor following the death of Mohohlo in 2021), Peggy Serame (first female finance minister in 2021 since 1966), Dinah Marate (first female commissioner for Prisons and Rehabilitation since 1885) and Jeanette Chanda Makgolo (Commissioner General of the Botswana Unified Revenue Service since 2021).