Source: Mmegi Online                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Dr Dorcus Mompati said this when officiating at the second annual Northern Women's expo, which was held at Adansonia Hotel.

"Women need to be applauded for the good work they are doing to the economy of this country. You will agree with me that women entrepreneurs are the building blocks for the success in any economy. They bring a unique approach to business," said Mompati.

Mompati further said that women should be celebrated for creating more jobs than men. She said that women are establishing small businesses at a higher rate than men, as such creating more employment, production and income generation.

"The informal Sector survey of 2007 indicates that 67.6(of informal sector businesses are operated by women. They are highly engaged, motivated and extremely well suited for the emerging workplace, therefore they should be celebrated in the society," Mompati added.

She noted that there was need to make deliberate efforts to involve young women as key beneficiaries in programmes coordinated under the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, as that would have direct impact in addressing social ills such as female sex work, gender based violence and unequal power relations.

"There is need to profile issues of the girl child and situate them into social and economic empowerment programmes," Mompati said.

Furthermore, Mompati applauded the government for regarding women empowerment as a developmental issue, hence offering women entrepreneurs an opportunity to market their products and network with others.

"The ministry has through this expo empowered, educated and motivated women to freely and actively participate in the economic sphere."

"The expo provides opportunities for exchanging experiences, showcasing best practices and presenting case studies of successful business operations led by women, " Mompati said.

Mompati also commended Orange Botswana for having worked in partnership with Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs in hosting the expo, saying both organisations have common global initiative of creating a forum that increases global trade awareness, regulations and best practices among women entrepreneurs.

 

• Botswana