Department Of Women’s Affairs Botswana, In Botswana, even having attained high economic development after the independency, the persistence of income inequality and poverty among women remain important areas of concern. Violence against women, the most singular findings of the study area that VAW in Botswana is a substantial problem and there are three out of five women have been a victim of violence. As far as the women’s participation in decision making at all levels of public and private life, in Botswana, men wield most of the power at all levels of the society from the position as the legal head of households making decision over family.
Government Policy on Gender
National Policy for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality of Botswana is addressing National Unity, Development and Self-Reliance, and in conjunction with the planning principles of rapid economic growth, sustained development, and social justice, government is taking steps to enhance women’s participation and involvement in national development.
National Machinery
The WAD is a key department in the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs. However, the Ministry has not mainstreamed gender in its 2001-2006 Strategic Plan. There are a few challenges in WAD in order for them to attain their goals.
Situation of Women/Gender in Education
In Botswana, female enrolment is generally greater than that of males at primary and junior secondary school levels. However, at the senior secondary level, female enrolment begins to decease
Situation of Women/Gender in Health
Botswana’s rapid economic growth contributed to health sector. However there are some challenges such as teenage pregnancy, the side effect of the abortion and HIV/AIDS. Government of Botswana set up policies to improve the negative health issues of women.
Situation of Women./Gender in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries
It is estimated that there are 50-60% female-headed households (FHHs) in rural Botswana. Available data suggest about 50-65% in villages (of populations of 500 and higher) and 25-40% in RAD settlements (with considerable variation between them). Although statistics argue that FHHs in rural areas are no poorer than male-headed ones, most are probably just as poor.
Situation of Women/Gender in Economic Activities
Females are increasingly dominating in most industries, the largest being hotels and restaurants at 74.3% followed by private households with 71.4%. Female unemployment is much more than men accounting for 59. Women accounted for 60.5% of the informal sector employees, and most of these (60.3%) women are self-employed both with and with no employees.