His Honour Vice President Masisi Launches Sdgs Roadmap
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NEWSLETTER ISSUE 1 / QUARTER 1 / 2018 His Honour Vice President Masisi launches SDGs Roadmap The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Jacinta Barrins, emphasized the need to bring all stakeholders on board including the private The Government of Botswana Development Plan 11 and nities and enhance their partic- sector, research and learning in Partnership with United beyond. He armed the need ipation in the implementation institutions, NGOs and CSOs to Nations Botswana and the for national ownership and process. He noted that a create new partnerships University of Botswana ocial- coordination of the goals comprehensive national SDG around SDGs implementation. ly launched the SDGs Roadm- through mainstreaming them communication strategy was She further elaborated by ap in February 2018. into all programs. He further being nalized to address saying, “Government’s commit- indicated that the roadmap these advocacy needs. ment is vital, but insucient on Speaking at the launch, Vice recognizes the need for its own”. The Private sector, President Mokgweetsi Masisi sustained advocacy, sensitiza- He also stressed the impor- youth and NGOs committed said the roadmap is a strategic tion and awareness creation tance of setting up eective on the day to being a partner document that guides the regarding the implementation planning and coordinating in the implementation of SDGs. implementation and monitor- of SDGs. This, he observed, structures for the successful ing of the SDGs within National would empower local commu- implementation of the SDGs. Resident Coordinators Oce UN Building, Government Enclave, Telephone: (+267) 363 3700 PO Box 54, Gaborone United Nations in Botswana Cnr Khama Crescent & President's Drive Fax: (+267) 3956093 Botswana @UN_Botswana UNITED NATIONS IN BOTSWANA NEWSLETTER | PAGE 2 UN Women and De Beers Group in Partnership to implement a Programme on the ‘Acceleration of Women-Owned Micro-Enterprises for Decent Work & Economic Security (AWOME)’ UN Women and De Beers menting in Botswana through through enhanced economic micro-entrepreneurs are the Group are engaged in a our global partnership with UN empowerment.” bedrock of their household’s three-year global partnership Women. Advancing women’s livelihood and nancial securi- to implement a women’s economic empowerment in Responding to SDG 1, 5 and 8 ty as their businesses create economic empowerment one of the deprived areas of and 17, the AWOME employment for themselves programme ‘Acceleration of Botswana has the potential to Programme aims to contribute and other members of their Women-Owned Micro-En- make a real dierence, not only to the empowerment of communities. terprises for Decent Work for the women micro-entre- women entrepreneurs at the and Economic Security preneurs that participate in the micro-enterprise level and The AWOME Programme aims (AWOME)’ in Botswana, programmes, but also for their cooperatives by designing and to contribute to long-lasting Namibia and South Africa. For families and communities piloting a context-responsive economic empowerment of Botswana, the programme through increased employ- capacity building model that women by developing knowl- targets selected women and ment opportunities and skills can be adapted and scaled up. edge products (in the form of communities in the Okavango development.” The SDG’s principle of leaving training manuals and a capaci- Delta. The Programme no one behind entails prioritiz- ty building model) that can be supports the women-owned Anne Githuku-Shongwe, ing human dignity and placing used across the countries and micro-enterprises to enhance Representative, UN Women the progress of the most can be adapted for other target their capacity to grow their South Africa Multi-Country marginalized communities areas with minimal investment businesses, increase their Oce, said “The selected areas rst. in adapting for context. Under incomes and create decent in the Okavango Delta are this global partnership and jobs. socio-economically disadvan- The women micro-entrepre- within its normative mandate, taged and women in these neurs are a group that could UN Women will also carry out During the announcement of communities bear the greatest easily miss out in the conven- advocacy to strengthen the the AWOME Programme in impact of this poverty, coupled tional small business support enabling environment for Botswana at the W Summit in by their multiple roles and programmes. In addition to women entrepreneurs and Gaborone, on the 9th Novem- responsibilities. Through this ordinary challenges faced by decent work. ber 2017, Bruce Cleaver, CEO, programme, we hope to create entrepreneurs, women face De Beers Group, said: “I am more viable, sustainable gender related barriers that delighted to announce the opportunities for women to thwart their entrepreneurial programmes we will be imple- improve their livelihoods potential. Often, women UNITED NATIONS IN BOTSWANA NEWSLETTER | PAGE 3 Embrace children in political party manifestos - Masisi Children are partners in today’s dialogue to work with children prioritize children’s issues by elucidate their interest in their decision-making processes, to enable them to capture political parties ahead of the country’s development,” he hence the need to include their views and perspectives. 2019 general elections. said. them in political party manifes- This, he said, would help Children must be given the tos, said Vice President Mokg- parties to conceive policies platform to engage with weetsi Masisi at the launch of that were relevant to children. politicians, policy makers, Botswana Children’s Month of He further said children are a media and academics to Broadcasting (BCMB) which special constituency and was held under the theme deserved respect and recogni- Botlhale jwa phala bo tswa tion, thus everyone in the phalaneng… countdown to society had a duty to ensure 2019. their safety and protection, adding that they must be Vice President Masisi said it is included in decision-making as important for political parties they had their own special way to create platforms for of thinking. “There is need to Speaking on behalf of the Representative, Ms Julianna per cent of Botswana’s popula- children, former chairperson of Lindsey, said children are a tion and this year they shall Children’s Consultative Forum, critical component of the take it to the airwaves to talk Mr Cantona Bolokang society that is capable of about the issues they want to (pictured above) said there was raising global awareness on see in party political manifes- need for children to be includ- policy issues. She emphasized tos,” she said. ed in decision-making and be the need for children to be given the platform to air their given the platform to express views. For her part, UNICEF themselves. “Children make 36 UNITED NATIONS IN BOTSWANA NEWSLETTER | PAGE 4 “I acknowledge that the right Dividend (DD) Report launch transition in Botswana has investments have to be made in Gaborone. President Masisi happened, in that, Botswana in Botswana for us to tap into said that; “the political will is in has more people in the the potential and skills of place to support the DD working age than in the young people. Our Return on agenda, what is needed is the dependent age groups of Investment (ROI) isn’t technocratic will & ability to children and the elderly. commensurate with the deliver the political will.” expectations we have for Botswana” said Vice President In his address, he noted that Mokgweetsi Masisi (pictured unlike in other African left) at the Demographic countries, the demographic Botswana’s Demographic Transition has happened! The report reveals that this people’s energy, talent and necessary. Consequently, as high-income country. The gives Botswana a temporary their innovation” he said. The the report states, our young commitment to put the needs, window of opportunity to reap report also states that like all people start contributing to rights and capabilities of the demographic dividend. other dividends, the demo- the economy at older ages young people at the center has According to the Opportuni- graphic dividend is not than generations before them. been demonstrated by the ties and Policy Actions to automatic as such the right The Government of Botswana African Union Commission Maximize the Demographic investments have to be made and its partners should act where member states took a Dividend in Botswana report, in education, empowerment with urgency to implement decision in January 2016 an overwhelming majority of and employment of Botswa- interventions to take full Assembly to establish the Botswana’s population is na’s youthful population. advantage of the Demograph- theme for 2017 as ‘Harnessing young people. “They are not ic Dividend to achieve its the Demographic Dividend only young but are also vulner- The DD report also shows that development aspirations,” said (DD) through Investments in able, unskilled, insuciently Botswana’s youth remain Masisi. Youth. The AU roadmap on DD educated, energetic and dependent until the average was developed bearing in willing to learn and work. age of 32. “We note that youth Vice President Masisi stated he mind the urgent necessity to Therefore, for us to seize the unemployment remains high, is committed to giving young transform the potential of window of opportunity we and that our economy is not people a competitive edge, in Africa’s large youth population. must tap into our young producing jobs at a scale Botswana’s quest to become a UNITED NATIONS IN BOTSWANA NEWSLETTER | PAGE 5 Second, make schools work for all children. Level the playing eld by reducing stunting and promoting brain improve the quality of learning development through early taking place in Botswana’s nutrition and stimulation so public schools to ensure the children start school ready to nation’s future economic learn. Attract highly capable competitiveness. people into teaching and keep World Bank Kicks o them motivated by tailoring “One of the ways in which teacher training that is Botswana can reap the demo- reinforced by mentors.