03 Feb 2025

The number of women participating in leadership roles remains low and this limits their influence in decision-making processes.

Speaking during the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs gender engagement forum recently, Francistown mayor, Mr Gaone Majere said that one could not talk about sustainable development without ensuring that women had equal opportunities in leadership.

He said that women brought unique perspectives, innovative solutions and inclusive leadership styles that benefitted communities.

Mr Majere said many barriers still existed and therefore, encouraged people to continue advocating for policies that empowered women, supported their participation in decision-making and break cultural and structural barriers that held them back.

He also said that the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was a concern and that people should work collectively to strengthen protection mechanisms and change societal attitudes that enabled such injustices.

“As leaders, policymakers, community members, and stakeholders, it is our collective responsibility to find sustainable solutions to those pressing concerns”, he added.

Nevertheless, Mr Majere stated that Francistown Council had successfully achieved gender parity in school enrollment by ensuring that both boys and girls were afforded equal access to education.

“We have also witnessed a remarkable increase in women entrepreneurship, particularly in the informal sector, demonstrating the resilience and innovation of our women”, he said. ENDS