Botswana: Women police officers of the Botswana Police Force are currently on a two-day retreat organized by the Police Service in Francistown. The Police Service administration has inspired the women police officers to strive for excellence and advancement in their work.
The Commissioner of Police, Dinah Marathe officially opened the two-day retreat for Botswana Women Police Network (BWPN). The retreat was hosted on Wednesday and was attended by many women police officers.
The retreat hosted in Francistown was attended by 170 women police officers from across the country. The two day event is held under the theme, “Advancing Women’s Strategic Leadership Acumen: Resetting to a Gender Transformable Policing Agenda.”
Commissioner Marathe said the event was to appreciate and motivate women officers. They were hailed for their contribution towards the mandate of the Botswana Police Service (BPS).
The Commissioner said women police officers should not submit to the societal believe that they are not capable. Instead of this, the officers should continue to work hard, continue to position themselves through merit.
Further, the commissioner of Police urged them to embrace their strength that enable them to diligently achieve multiple tasks. She went on to caution them to admit when vulnerable and seek assistance where necessary.
She said BPS has helped in empowering women of the country. She also added that there is 35% women representation at various Police establishments. Out of this number, 21% of the women are at the Senior Management level.
Marathe said this was indebted to her predecessors who ensured women officers were appraised on the same scale with their male counterparts. The President of the Botswana Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges, Justice Tapiwa Moleele delivered a brief address at the retreat.
She further expressed her excitement towards BWPN objectives which she said were similar to theirs. Further, Justice Moleele pledged the support of her organization to the BWPN. She claimed that the emergence of more women organisations was testament to today’s women’s solidarity.
It will ensure collaborative and supportive efforts amongst women. She reiterated that both associations were driven by empowering women for their advancement and ultimately contributing to the socio-economic growth of the country.