The World Bank has released a detailed report titled “Trends and Opportunities to Advance Gender Equality in Botswana.” The report examines gender dynamics across different stages of life, providing guidance for policymakers, civil society, and development partners on the challenges and opportunities in advancing gender equality. It highlights how structural barriers such as education access, financial inclusion, and labor market participation disproportionately affect women and young people in Botswana. Recommendations are included to address these issues.
Honourable Lesego Chombo, Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, stated at the report's launch in Gaborone: “This report offers important insights to accelerate our ongoing efforts to create a more equitable Botswana. By addressing systemic barriers such as limited access to finance, skills gaps, and societal norms, we can unlock the full potential of youth, women, and men as drivers of economic growth. We are committed to fostering inclusivity while emphasizing various roles in advancing gender equality. The Government remains steadfast in promoting equal opportunities for all Batswana.”
The report outlines five strategic priorities: increasing women's participation in decision-making; strengthening government capacity for gender mainstreaming; reducing gender-based violence (GBV) rates; supporting girls' and boys' human capital potential; closing wage and productivity gaps.
World Bank Country Director for Botswana Satu Kahkonen remarked: “Women now account for 57% of university graduates... However, persistent gaps in women’s economic participation limit the country’s growth potential.” She added that the World Bank is committed to supporting Botswana's efforts towards gender equality under its Gender Strategy 2024–2030.
The assessment reveals disparities in health, education, social protection, economic inclusion, voice and agency. Boys face higher childhood stunting rates while girls experience high teenage pregnancy rates leading to school dropouts. Maternal mortality remains high at 131 deaths per 100,000 live births with HIV affecting women more significantly than men.
Despite educational advancements for women who now make up a majority of university graduates their labor force participation lags behind men at 63% compared with men's 73%. They also earn less than men working mainly informal jobs making them vulnerable especially during events like COVID-19 pandemic which led many losing jobs particularly rural informal sector workers susceptible climate or economic shocks necessitating inclusive resilient systems be put place legal framework improvements notwithstanding social norms still restrict full economic inclusion politically traditionally led spheres either running businesses accessing finance underrepresented positions leadership facing high GBV rates exacerbated weak institutional coordination fragmented support systems according findings compiled consultations government stakeholders including research reports conducted prior publication today Gaborone attended key figures involved field contact details provided interested parties seeking further information discussion related topics covered therein