18 Feb 2025

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for State President, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi has called for the implementation of affirmative action to ensure that People With Disabilities (PWDs) are afforded equal opportunities and support in Botswana.

Speaking during the National Disability Council induction in Gaborone yesterday, Ms Morekisi highlighted the pressing need for a more inclusive approach to disability rights and urged both government and private sectors to take concrete steps toward empowering PWDs and ensuring their full participation in society.

While acknowledging Botswana’s progress in addressing the rights of persons with disabilities, Ms Morekisi emphasized that there was still much work to be done.

“Botswana has made strides in disability rights, but we are still lagging behind in fully implementing policies that ensure PWDs are integrated into society,” she said.

She highlighted that affirmative action was crucial in overcoming the barriers PWDs faced, particularly in areas such as employment, education and access to public services.

“Affirmative action for persons with disabilities is not just about hiring quotas, it is about creating an environment where PWDs have the same opportunities as everyone else to thrive in society. It is critical that we make deliberate efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind,” she explained. 

Ms Morekisi particularly called for the private sector to take a leading role in the process, commending companies such as Debswana for their efforts in applying affirmative action and hiring PWDs.

She urged other companies to follow suit and create more opportunities for persons with disabilities in the workplace.

Ms Morekisi also highlighted the need for greater collaboration among various government ministries to tackle the multisectoral challenges faced by PWDs.

“We must work together across sectors and ministries to create an integrated approach to disability rights and ensure that all aspects of life, from education to employment, are accessible to persons with disabilities,” she said.

Additionally, Ms Morekisi underscored the need for a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track the implementation of policies aimed at supporting PWDs.

She warned that without such systems in place, there would be a risk of insufficient progress in improving the lives of people with disabilities.

As a call for change, Ms Morekisi urged government to take immediate steps to implement affirmative action policies, ensuring that PWDs were prioritized in employment, education and social services.

She emphasized that it was essential to establish a strong foundation for the rights and inclusion of PWDs in the country’s development agenda.

The Permanent Secretary’s remarks came at a pivotal moment, as the newly established National Disability Council continued to play a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Botswana.

She highlighted the importance of the council in driving disability rights initiatives, creating awareness and ensuring that PWDs were protected at all levels.

“The council’s purpose is to spearhead initiatives that will ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld in Botswana,” Ms Morekisi stated.

She further elaborated that the council was mandated to promote the rights of PWDs, raise awareness on disability issues and protect the welfare of the community. ENDS