WHERE 1 ARE THE WOMEN? asks Dr Nasha, Speaker of the NationalBOTSWANA Assembly

MEDIA REPORT GENDER POLICY invitation August 29, 2013 MEDIA GENDER POLICY Cresta President Hotel , Botswana

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Printed by Printing and Publishing Company of Botswana WELCOMING GUEST OF HONOUR: MmaNasha flanked by Kasale and Ntsabane

Botswana Media unite to mainstream gender in content and in top management positions ast Thursday was a mile- sha who was the Guest speaker, as well as UNFPA stone for media in Botswana as Country Representative, a Gender Policy was launched Lto be used by practitioners in Aisha Camara-Drammeh, Kelebogile Kgabi from the their studios and newsrooms as well Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, the Attorney as the boardrooms. General, Dr Atthalia Molokomme, renowned lawyer and Gender Links Volunteer Rahim Khan, Bala repre- An initiative of Gender Links, (GL) funded sentative Rre Manthe and Rre Roy Sesana. by UKAID, the Botswana Media Gender compiled by C entres of excellence B otswana Policy is a product of seven media houses. Welcoming guests, GL Botswana Country Manager, Keabonye Ntsabana commended the media houses The participating electronic and media for taking the first step to recognize the importance practitioners signed Memorandums of of mainstreaming Gender not only in content but Understanding with GL to become Centres also in institutional practice. of Excellence (COEs). The Gender Policy Project Consultant and Facilita- Participating media houses who crafted tor, Beata Kasale-Kabango clarified the fact that the and adopted the Policy were Duma FM, Policy was not only concerned about women, but YaRona FM, Gabz FM, /Monitor, men as well. , Echo and Sunday Stand- ard/The Telegraph. However, she pointed out that women were missing in positions of leadership and that the Policy sought Among the 100 guests who turned up to to address this gap. support the occasion was the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margaret Na- GUESTS OF HONOUR (L-R): 3 Aisha Camara-Drammeh, Dr Atthalia Molokomme, Kelebogile Kgabi and Dr Margaret Nasha

Kgabi stressed the importance of media in dis- Having the crowd tuned in with anecdotes seminating issues of gender as well as gender- and jokes, Dr Nasha said due to the with- based violence in a sensitive and constructive drawal of Donor Agencies, Botswana was manner. in intensive care due to her being labeled a middle income country. Camara-Drammeh highlighted that media per- formed a fundamental role in the construction of She commended Gender Links for their social reality. perseverance in running such projects as the formulation of the Gender Policy amidst the She said, “Through the media, society gainsBOTSWANA dwindled Donor funding. access to those events that are not part of their direct experiences. She encouraged the media to implement the MEDIAGender Policy as they had signed the state- The media has the privilege of constructing a real- ment of commitment to the project. ity to society through images and representationGENDER of different events.” She emphasized the need for media houses POLICYto follow to the letter the introduction of

She stated that the media had been seen to play Gender Steering Committees tasked withinvitation the role of a watchdog for the societies they serve the implementation of the Policy in the me- and holding governments accountable for achiev- dia houses, which forms part of the Gender ing their stated goals, emphasizing that this was a Policy document. prerequisite for development of our societies… “This document acknowledges that women In conclusion she appealed to the media to “con- are seriously under represented in the tinue raising awareness in gender related issues, media. Not only in Botswana but also in the BOTSWANA MEDIA GENDER POLICY especially gender based violence which continues whole SADC region. to take women’s lives in the so called “passion killings.’” “They are conspicuous by their absence

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GENDER LINKS BOTSWANA FACILITATOR: COUNTRY Beata Kasale- MANAGER: Kabango Keabonye Ntsabane

and there is nothing positive about that. They are predominantly working part time and as freelanc-

compiled by C entres of excellence B otswana ers. And they are not represented in positions of leadership in the studios and newsrooms,” she lamented.

Dr Nasha urged women to become more focused and vigilante in pursuit of top positions. She shared how during her days in the department o of Broadcasting, she assigned Esther Kanaimba- Senai, jokingly calling her with her maiden and marriage names including Ruhapo to cover the then President in Maun.

“The road to Maun was not tarred and hen she started to make an excuse I vehemently asked her to go. Look at her now…”

Kanaimba-Senai is the Group Public and Corpo- DIRECTOR OF rate Affairs for Debswana. SERVICES: Matshidiso She was concerned that the Departments of Morewane Broadcasting and Information were not part of the Centres of Excellence, citing that the Public Media fraternity was the biggest employer. Speech by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs 5

Women and the Media is one of the Critical Areas of Concern in the Beijing Platform for Action. Therefore, States are urged to increase the participation and ac- cess of women to expression and decision-making in and through media and new technologies of commu- nication. It is encouraging to note that the Botswana Media Gender Policy is committing to guide the development of action plans in Media Sector in order to respond to the gender disparities that exist in their institutions and their work.

These instruments are critical as they guide and inform all organizations and institutions on what could be done to address the gender gaps includ- ing through affirmative action. Furthermore, male involvement is identified as one of the strategies for the promotion of gender equity. Gender equality cannot be achieved without male involvement, that; Ministry of is commitment and direct contribution of males to the Labour and gender equality principle. The aforementioned instru- Home Affairs: ments have greatly contributed to progress in terms Kealeboga Kgabi of law reform through review of laws that affect the status of women and children and enactment of gender responsive ones. t is a great honour for me to be interacting with you Members of the Press at this launch of the I wish to highlight that, the socio cultural factors that IBotswana Media Gender Policy. The comple- exist in our society influence and have differential mentarity demonstrated through this partnership impact on women, men, boys and girls social rela- needs to be nurtured and encouraged. BOTSWANAtions. This calls for fair and sensitive reporting that seeks to raise awareness in a constructive sensitive This day marks a great achievement in the history of gen- manner – always determined to identify gender der mainstreaming in Botswana as we are celebratingMEDIA disparities and their address through broad based indicative results on mainstreaming of a gender perspec- community participation. tive in the Media Sector. GENDERI am greatly impressed by your initiative and par- The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs through the ticularly taking the lead in informing yourselves and Gender Affairs Department is mandated to coordinate developing your Sectoral Gender Policy. Needless to mainstreaming of gender in the development sectors.POLICY say, this will enable the media fraternity to adequate- The Media as a key implementing partner is critical and ly respond to gender and GBV issues and to invitation widely can be instrumental in making gender equality a reality disseminate information to members of the public in through disseminating information that would facilitate a more sensitive and empathetic manner. sectors to be responsive to the gender dimensions of their work. Allow me to recognize the Media’s dedication to the Botswana is signatory to International and Regional promotion of gender equality as signified by prompt Gender Frameworks calling for the promotion of gender action and coverage of gender and development equality and condemnation of gender based violence issues. Committing to this process is sufficient evi- especially violence against women and children. These dence of your unwavering determination to bridging include among others, the Beijing Declaration and the gender gap. Platform For Action (1995), Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, the SADC Thank you. Declaration on Gender and Development (1997) and its Addendum on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence against Women and Children (1998), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Ratified by Botswana in 1995); the Common Wealth Plan of Action as well as the Millennium Development Goals (2000).

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Printed by Printing and Publishing Company of Botswana Statement by UNFPA Country Representative, Ms Aisha Camara- Drammeh

feel greatly honoured to share a state- ment at this momentous ceremony in size certain news attributes and omit others, in which we launch the Gender Media some instances. As a result therefore, the media IPolicy produced by 6 media houses, namely: have the privilege of constructing a reality to soci- The Voice, Mmegi/The Monitor, Yarona FM, ety through images and representations of different Duma FM, The Echo, Gabz Fm and Sunday events. Standard/The Telegraph. We’ve also seen the media playing a role of a I would like to take this opportunity to com- watch-dog for the societies they serve and holding mend Gender Links for spearheading this governments accountable for achieving their stated noble initiative through providing the techni- goals. cal support and required guidance. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a pre-requisite for One can only applaud the team tasked to de- development of our societies. Media is just an im- velop this policy for taking gender to another portant function of our prosperity in our lives. level through recognizing the importance of mainstreaming gender in the media. Director of ceremonies, relating to development, it is imperative that media professionals and prac- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I would titioners appreciate that Gender and Media are like to start by highlighting that the media linked – the same way Gender is interrelated to performs a fundamental role in the construc- Development. tion of social reality. Through the media society gains access to those events that are Allow me to remind you that the Media was part not part of their direct experiences. of the 12 critical areas of concern in the historic Beijing Platform for Action of 1995 and its subse- The media convey “what happens”, define the quent reviews. public agenda and, at the same time, empha- Gender equality and women’s empowerment are Distinguished Guests, the time is now to ensure particularly pronounced in some section of societal that by 2016 Batswana are conversant with the 7 development, and make the role of the media vital key principles of gender equality. This will only in providing objective information about gender be possible if the media is capacitated and have equality and women’s empowerment matters. mainstreamed gender in their already planned media strategies within media houses. The media has the power to break the culture of si- lence that surrounds intimate partner violence and This launch comes at the right time when Gen- sexual violence against women, a silence that all der Links and UNFPA have signed a partner- too often prevents people from seeking information ship to ensure that that gender is mainstreamed and care and prevents government from putting the in the media. Through this collaboration, my issues on their development agendas. organisation is grateful to be part of this new Gender-Media Policy which will guide the Ladies and Gentlemen, As UNFPA Botswana, we media houses in reporting on issues of gender appeal to the media to take on the cause of gen- equality. der equality, spotlighting its potential to overturn stereotypes of men and women. More is needed to make the media environment and industry more I wish to sincerely recognize the significant role inclusive and gender-sensitive. played by Gender Links in promoting gender equality and exerting efforts in ending Gender- Every day around the world, mass media sways Based Violence. how people view what it means to be masculine and feminine, sadly, often resorting to destructive Their advocacy role and initiative such as gender stereotypes in the process. campaigns on the 16 days Activism agaist GBV, the 365 Days of Peace, development of effective Such stereotyping, in turn, feeds into the gender gender mainstreaming policies and programmes discrimination which is a root cause of violence and capacity building on gender reporting can- against women and girls. not go unnoticed. I pay tribute to you.

With up to 67 per cent of Batswana women expe- Keep up the good work. We are proud as riencing violence in their lifetime, for women and UNFPA to be in partnership with you. girls, this is a struggle not to be assaulted, raped, Director of ceremonies, in conclusion, allow molested or forced into the commercial sex trade.BOTSWANA me to appeal to the media to continue raising awareness on gender related issues, especially I need not point to studies which have shown that gender based violence, which continues to take negative stereotyping, including the depictionMEDIA of women’s lives in the so called passion killings. women as sex objects, exacerbates gender dis- crimination. Women have often been portrayed in Ke a leboga Bagaetsho - I thank you for your demeaning or damaging ways on billboards, magaGENDER- kind attention. zines, television and magazines. POLICY------invitation

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Printed by Printing and Publishing Company of Botswana Speech by Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margaret Nasha

irst of all, I truly want to take this exactly what that meant. However, my fears and suspicions opportunity to congratulate Gender Links have been allayed. As you can see, they have all signed the Ffor their perseverance. document, to indicate their commitment it implement its Many of you will agree with me that the contents. I think you all deserve a good pat on the back. womens’ movement as we used to know it in this Thank you all very much for saying yes and thank you country was dealt a heavy blow when a lot of too, for opening your studios and newsrooms to Gender donors decided to abandon us, simply as a result Links, allowing them to been an irritant at times when you of our country being declared a middle income were preoccupied with meeting your deadlines. If you did country. not choose to do that, this gender policy would have never That decision as we all know affected all seen the light of day. NGOs in this country, and most of them simply Having gone through this policy document, I am under could not afford to keep the fires burning, and no illusions whatsoever, that even with your best intentions, went into intensive care!!!! what you have set yourselves to achieve, is not going to be But Gender Links has managed to persevere, an overnight thing. It is going to be a long process, which albeit under extremely difficult conditions. Mme requires dedication and constant monitoring and review. I Mma Ntsabane and I, have kept in touch, and am therefore encouraged, to see that each Media House is have discussed this matter time and again. committed to setting up a Gender Steering Committee, to I will never agree with the international run with this policy and ensure that it gets implemented. community, who believe in punishing countries That, I think is another plus. for properly managing their economies, and in A lot of areas have been covered in this document. But I the process throwing out the baby with the bath have chosen to lay emphasis on just three: water. a) This document acknowledges the fact that women Second I must congratulate you for your pa- are both seriously underrepresented in the media, not just tience and persistence, to bring the media in this in Botswana, but in the SADC region as a whole. country on board, to the point where, they have all They are predominantly working part time and on signed an undertaking to adhere to, and imple- freelance basis, and they are not represented at decision ment this gender policy. making levels. In other words, they remain cub reporters The original copy which was sent to me. and such behind the scenes workers for life, and hardly ever Showed that the Statement of Commitment was rise to the level of editors. signed by only three media houses. I smelled a rat. They anchor radio programmes when literally nobody is And I called Mma Ntsabane to explain to me, listening; in the middle of the day when people are at work, OLD FRIENDS: MmaNasha 9 with Human Rights Activist, Roy Sesana

or worse still after midnight when everybody is sleeping. about abortion nor sex work, and then sit back, They have absolutely no say in what goes into front relax and congratulate ourselves, that indeed we pages of the newspapers they work for, and they never or have done justice to coverage of gender issues. rarely ever get assigned to cover important stories mak- No, Women and men are making things happen, ing headlines around the country. out there, and it is things that should also find What this means is that we are, knowingly or their way into our news headlines and serious unknowingly driving it in people’s minds that women are current affairs programmes in our studios, on not capable of carrying out these duties. We know they a continuous basis. Ask yourself this question: can, given the opportunity to prove themselves. If women “how come the issue of safe male circumcision can anchor serious finance, economic and current affair does not get that high level of prominence?” It programmes over CNN, why can’t they do it over Radio is an important issue indeed, but we don’t get to Botswana or Yarona fm and the rest? Ao, Bathong!BOTSWANA Give hear or read about it every day. women a chance. Give women a chance, and let them c) The last area of emphasis I want to talk realize their full potential. about is continuity. This project should not be I have to emphasize though, ladies, that SetswanaMEDIA an event. Those Gender Communities must be sa re setlhako se bolaya morwadi. Why le ba leseletsa? led by people who care about gender issues, if Come forward and offer to do tasks. You will be surprised they are to perform. The job they do must not be yourself at what it is you can actually do. And theGENDER first treated as any other business. The person at the attempt must NEVER be the last. You must over and over top must take keen interest in what they do or again, make yourselves available to perform challengingPOLICY desire to do. If we can do that, we shall indeed tasks. Make yourself visible. Please. You know the media overcome someday. is about VISIBILITY. If you decide to take a back seat, In closing, Director of Ceremonies, Electioninvitation nobody will know that you are there. It is called ASSER- time is here. Nna bagaetsho, gone fa, ke gone ke TIVENESS. tlaa kgonang go bona sentle, gore maitlamo a re b) Secondly, I want to emphasize, that indeed the a saenetseng a, a ke maikano tota, kana ke teke- media should intensify their efforts to treat women, not letso, kana ke go inamola batho ba ba Gender just as news objects, but as important sources of news Links. Kgang ya di cartoon tsa poo e namagadi and news makers themselves. Please hear me out prop- e amogwa bopoo jay one, tota ga re batle go erly my dear colleagues. I don’t think stories about wom- e bona gotlhelele! We have to take ourselves en or gender issues in general should be confined only to seriously as the media in this country. And as the the 16 days of activism. There are 365 days in a year, and bible says, everything else shall be given unto women do not relocate to some other planet after the 6 you. days. I also don’t think that we should be satisfied with The Botswana Media Gender Policy IS hereby stories that portray women only as helpless victims of launched; and I thank you most sincerely for hav- circumstances. Neither should we be happy with stories ing me.

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ECHO NEWSPAPER: Tsaone Basimane- botlhe receives a copy of the policy

GABZ FM: Mike Olivier receives a copy of the policy BOTSWANA MEDIA GENDER POLICY DUMA FM: Kealeboga 11 Dihutso receives a copy of the policy

BOTSWANA MEDIA GENDER POLICY invitation

MMEGI/MONITOR NEWSPAPERS: Maureen Odubeng receives a copy of the policy RIGHT: Human Resource Manager, Ndaba

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THE VOICE: Tebogo Kethamile receives a copy of the policy

YARONA FM: Boineelo Hardy receives a copy of the policy SUNDAY STANDARD/ 13 THE TELEGRAPH: Ruth Kedikilwe receives a copy of the policy

TASK FORCE MEMBERS BOTSWANA NAME MMEDIAedia House Boineelo Hardy YaronaGENDER FM Maureen Odubeng Mmegi/MonitorPOLICY

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe Echo invitation

Tebogo Kethamile The Voice

Ruth Kedikilwe Sunday Standard/The Telegraph

Mike Olivier Gabz FM

Kealebogo Dihutso Duma FM

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AT THE LAUNCH: David Moepeng, YARona FM Station Manager at the launch

COMRADES IN GENDER MAINSTREAMING: GLB Roos van Dorp with Ndaba from Mmegi discussing Gender issues 15

AT THE LAUNCH: Participants

BOTSWANA MEDIA GENDER POLICY invitation

AT THE LAUNCH: Participants

Printed by Printing and Publishing Company of Botswana BOTSWANA MEDIA GENDER POLICY invitation David Moepeng Tebatso Kgakge Gaonyadiwe Boikaego Chabota G J Georginah Koboto Lame Maboko Bablibi Pitse Phu, Naomi Godiraone Katlego P C Manthe Mpho Gilika Ontametse Sugar O M tsimanyane Thabiso Simmery D. Selemogwe Polite Madeswi Kealeboga Dihutso Mike Olivier Isaiah Morewape Priscillah D Keokilwe L Ellias M Odubeng D. Matshaba T Gombalome Rahim Khan Kealeboga Kgabi Aisha Camara Drameh Dr A7halia Molokomme Dr Margaret Nasha NAME 16

Printed by Printing and Publishing Company of Botswana M F F M F F F M F M F M F M F F F M M M F M F F F M F F F F SEX YaronaFm WIN Sunday Standard Police Duma FM BPS Public Rela,ons UB Guardian Newspaper Sunday Standard Sunday Standard Sunday Standard BALA eBotswana BALA Gabz FM Guardian YWCA Duma Fm Gabz FM Mmegi Echo EBD Mmegi Town Council EBD Gender Links Volunteer Ministry of Labour UNFPA Chambers A7orney General Na,onal Assembly ORGANISATION TAWLA Sta,on Manager WIN Accounts PR Reporter Reporter Lecturer Projects Reporter Programs Officer Sales Manager Reporter Administra,on Editor Editor Reporter Presenter Desk Editor CHRAD PEO(Broadcas,ng) A7orney Deputy Permanent Sec Representa,ve A7orney General Speaker DESIGNATION Director PHONE 71211712 73669795 72669710 71258453 71751359 71357498 71722355 72625473 71206565 76668429 72141522 72116962 71392848 74188984 76042273 75993009 3188784 3188784 3188784 3974113 3974784 3903222 3653258 3974784 5333883 3653258 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] phu,@guardiansun.co.bw [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] E MAIL E Amogelang M M Dikobe K Moletsane Galaletsang Molabi MG Morewane K Ntsabane Roos Van Dorp Vincent Galatlhwe Koketso Mmei Tshegofatso Ngaka Onalenna Dube Sibanda L Tumisang M Botsang M Tumelo Mokgalo Phenyo Moalosi Catherine Phiri Sethuya Maele Thandie Hirschfield Bunyani Zongwane Roy sesana Kelly Kasale Katso Morapedi Boikobo Setswammu Beata Kasale Bobo Seeletso Leonard Motota Edna Maine Tebogo Kethamile Itumeleng Mfila Boineelo Hardy NAME 17 F F M F F F F M M F F M M M M M M F F M M F M F F M M F F F F SEX UB BALA Botswana Gaze[e Press Council of Botswana Genderlinks Genderlinks Genderlinks news BTV news BTV RB1 News Echo Echo Guardian Sun Daily News Daily News Gabz fm Gabz FM ICTE Media Misa Botswana First people Step Botswana Botswana Gaze[e ST Bennedet church The Voice Gabz FM echo Self The Voice Guardian Sun YaronaFm ORGANISATION Reporter Chair Ex Sec Reporter Ex sec C/m P/O P/A Camera Reporter Reporter Press Press Photographer Journalist Photographer Journalist Journalist Head of Radio Director Representa2ve Trainer Photojournalist Publisher Sales Manager Reporter Consultant Execu2ve Adver2sing reporter Ac2ng News Editor DESIGNATION

BOTSWANA MEDIA

74743700 3552185 3912063 3912833 3500378 3188250 3188250 3188250 3658028 3658088 3653261 3903222 3903222 3659800 GENDER3633600 3653576 76076111 72271796 71915236 73216096 71221318 3912833 71306944 72101962 71774997 71304511 3161585 72771556 72750589 PHONE POLICY invitation [email protected] [email protected] galamolabi@gaze[ebw.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] thirschfi[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] voicebw.com tebogok@the imfi[email protected] [email protected] E MAIL

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18 Anna Sebopelo Jeannie Olesitse Kushata Ndibi Cheedza P Ramasu Gothataone Moeng Tsaone Basimanebotlhe Mukundi Mutasa Ndaba Nkiwane Chikadzi K. Joseph Onalenna Sekgwa Obuilwe Nkokonyane Agnes m Ncaagae Kutlwano Mosime Phemelo Maiketso Tswelelo Mogotsi

Printed by Printing and Publishing Company of Botswana F F F F F F F M M F M F F F F M Alliance SADC -­‐CNGO E botswana Echo Sun Mmegi Echo SADC Gender Unit Dikgang Publishing Friend of Gender Links The Voice The Patriot on Sunday CWF Gabz FM Gender Affairs Dept Gabz Fm Member Prog Officer Sub editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter PO HRM Photographer Reporter Reporter Journalist 3912292/0 71823732 71606176 76398540 71800630 72740513 72642305 76075612 71301200 72156730 73910005 72655396 71311615 72144486 72746966 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 19

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