19 Jun 2022

Unity should form the cornerstone of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) ahead of the 2024 general elections. 

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi made the exhortation when addressing the BDP’s 17th National Women’s Wing Elective Congress in Kanye on Saturday. 

Dr Masisi said it was imperative for democrats to remain united and work hard to ensure the party won the next general elections. 

In that regard the women’s wing conference should set the tone for the victory, he said. 

He also implored BDP members to look out for each other and seek amicable ways of resolving internal misunderstandings. 

He further urged them to disregard false reports peddled by some media outlets, which he said were intended to tarnish the image of the party. 

The BDP was voted into power because its promises, as espoused in their manifesto, were aligned with what Batswana needed, he said. 

The party was delivering on those promises despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a progressive movement the BDP was working towards increasing the number of women in leadership positions as promised prior to the 2019 general election. 

The party was also working at increasing women representation towards the 50/50 quota. 

“You cannot have democracy if you exclude 50 per cent of the population. I believe in gender empowerment completely,” he said. 

The BDP leader urged delegates to vote for candidates who were hardworking and capable of executing the party’s manifesto. 

He underscored the need to elect a committee that would unite and grow the party as well as match their opposition counterparts. 

President Masisi also urged the women’s wing to work on strategies for increasing women in Parliament, and to work with the Delimitation Commission on how the additional four constituencies could be demarcated. 

He applauded BDP women for their efforts to sensitise and educate other women about issues affecting them. 

He encouraged them to share such achievements with others, and also to educate people about the government’s programmes and policies. 

Dr Masisi acknowledged that social and financial challenges hindered women from contesting for leadership positions when compared with their male counterparts. 

With regard to youth, he said it was important for democrats to encourage them to play a role in building and growing the party towards the 2024 general election. 

For her part, outgoing BDP Women’s Wing chairperson, Ms Veronica Lesole said despite various challenges, they managed to devise a position paper on gender-based violence as well as to sensitise women on issues affecting them during the COVID-19 era, among other achievements. 

She said although the pandemic restricted some of their activities, they had set measurable and attainable goals, which they named the 10 point agenda. 

She commended President Masisi and his government for their efforts to appoint capable women to positions of power as well as amending some policies that disadvantaged women. 

She also urged BDP women to show their capabilities through working hard in order to be elected to leadership roles. 

“Let us work hard so that we are elected to these positions because we are capable. Our participation as women is critical,” she said. Ends