Celebrating International Women’s Day

Solly Rakgomo | Monday March 25, 2024 06:00

Marked annually on March 8, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, educate, and awareness raise about women’s equality, call for positive change advancing women, lobby for accelerated gender parity, and fundraise for women-focused charities.

The celebration of IWD took on a powerful meaning this year as the French Embassy, in collaboration with the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), organised a series of events centred around women in sports. Held on March 8, these events not only commemorated the achievements of women but also aimed at addressing pressing issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), inclusivity, and breaking stereotypes and obstacles women are subjected to in the sports industry.

The day began with a breakfast discussion at the French ambassador’s residence, attended by notable figures from the Botswana feminist and sport scene, including Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, the first female chief of the Balete people in Botswana. Following this, a panel discussion was held at the University of Botswana Conference Centre in collaboration with the BNOC.

The panel, titled ‘Women in Sports: Combating Gender-Based Violence and Stereotypes, Fostering Inclusion and Success’, was led by BNOC chairperson for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion, Tebo Segaise and featured Nondi Fingi Mahlasela, forward for the national women’s football team (the Mares), Lethabo Modukanele, boxing champion, Malebogo Molefhe, former professional basketball player and activist against GBV and for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, Nozie Malunga-Payet, the vice-president of Women and Sport Botswana (WASBO) and secretary-general of the Botswana Softball Association (BSA).

The conference was followed by a cocktail reception and an exhibition featuring high-level Batswana and French sportswomen committed to inclusivity. For her part, Kgosi Mosadi shared her grassroots efforts to combat and prevent GBV in her community through mediation and dialogue and to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The importance of adapting urban landscapes for accessibility, including during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris was highlighted. Renowned GBV survivor and disability rights activist Malebogo Molefhe advocated for a holistic approach to inclusion, encouraging mainstream integration as best as possible. She also commended the adoption of the Disability Act last December by Parliament, paving the way for the presentation of an official government strategy on the matter, which will concretely protect access of people with disabilities to public spaces and the job market. The panel discussion and exchange with the audience at UB delved into the experiences of women in sports, including preventing GBV and discrimination, media representation, the importance of role models, support to women athletes’ mental health, concrete actions by WASBO to increase women’s participation in sport, women’s underrepresentation in leadership positions, taboos around menstruation preventing the participation of women and girls, in particular from disadvantaged communities, etc. Discussions also touched on the importance of involving men in the discussions, as they have a responsibility to advance gender equality in sports.

The events drew a diverse audience, including students, disability advocacy groups, athletes, businesses, journalists, and members of the diplomatic/international organisations community. The panel discussion was broadcast on national television, and additional communication efforts were undertaken through radio broadcasts and social media platforms. Discussions were straight to the point and impactful. The initiative, including the exhibition featuring Batswana and French sportswomen committed to inclusivity, received positive feedback.

The French Embassy and the BNOC initiative to celebrate IWD through sports not only provided a platform for meaningful dialogue but also underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing gender equality and inclusion. By amplifying the voices of women in sports, the event contributed to fostering a more equitable and empowered society, aligning with the broader goals of France’s feminist diplomacy and the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in France.

France’s feminist diplomacy adopts a cross-cutting approach, integrating the fight for women’s rights in various sectors such as climate, sexual and reproductive rights, education, and the fight against GBV. Through such diplomacy, France strongly advocates for gender equality in international forums and wants this goal to be taken into account in all issues, including inequality reduction and sustainable development, peace and security, defence and promotion of fundamental rights, and climate and economic issues.

In addition, the 2024 Paris Games, is a unique opportunity for France to promote its vision and expertise as well as collaborate with countries such as Botswana for accessible, inclusive, and sustainable sports to sports actors and the general public. For example, a few days ago, the BNOC in partnership with the French Embassy in Botswana and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) held the second edition of the Around the World Relay: Mini Olympics Edition at the National Stadium. To mark the start of the events on the day, an exhibition 4x100m relay race between dignitaries of the diplomatic corps, BNOC, BNSC, and representatives of the respective schools was held. The day served as a promotional event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Botswana will be sending a team to compete. The occasion featured three schools (Regent Hill International School, Bokamoso Junior Secondary School, and Nanogang Junior Secondary School) competing amongst each other in Olympic disciplines, namely, football and athletics.

All in all, it is through such noble gestures of feminist and sports diplomacy that Botswana and France can work together to promote the rights of women and promote sports at the same time cementing their relationship, which dates back more than three decades.