economists-from-botswana

"I observe in this Forum's founding document, and indeed also in the draft constitution of the regional body to which it is to be affiliated, recognition that journalists and media owners have a common duty to work to the highest professional standards and ethics."

"I never mentioned Mugabe or any president in my speech. I made the speech at a UN meeting last September. What I said is that I used to hold the same beliefs as my African counterparts with regards to LGBT issues but I have since been converted."

"The only country I mentioned at the UN meeting is South Africa which I said is the most liberal when it comes to issues concerning LGBT groups."

"I believe one of the secrets of our success has been our commitment to empowering all members of our society."

"And in this respect, we take special pride in our progress toward gender equality. According to the 2003 U.N. Human Development Report, Botswana was ranked 16th in the world in terms of total percentage of females serving as legislators, senior officials and managers. The combined figure for women occupying leadership positions in our country as of 2002 was 35 percent."

"The experts tell us that the effect of the HIV prevalence in our population would reduce our potential growth rate by one-and-a-half percentage points annually."

"In other words, whatever economic rate we achieve, it would be one-and-a-half percentage points less than what it would have been in absence of HIV."

"First, of course, we are teaching the A-B-Cs, abstain, be faithful and condomize."

"That's the method we have been preaching. But you might say that is an old fashioned, tired message, but we don't know any alternative to that. Over and above that, of course, we are in a position to provide anti-retroviral therapy to citizens without charge. We also have prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs in our alternative clinics."

"The government must always listen to the public and political pressures build up and respond in a considered manner and in the best interest of peace and stability of the country."

"Citizens, political parties, civil society organisations, election observers, media, law enforcement agencies, candidates and their functionaries."

"These stakeholders determine the credibility of the elections and their involvement is critical."

"I am appealing to all citizens of Gaborone, including the business community, to appeal to the council's cooperation. We should have a small and clean capital city, decorated with trees. Let it be our vision that by 2016 we will have planted trees all over the country."

"Fighting climate change is a global challenge that requires authentic and inclusive regional and local collaboration."

"As once the youngest Cabinet Minister in Africa and in Botswana’s history, I will also seize this opportunity to help elevate the voices of young people and women, in particular, who are key to helping accelerate our goal of halving emissions by 2030."

"I believe we need more women in leadership who can push for the necessary changes and men who can also be champions of equity."

"Please be your sister’s keeper, send the ladder down, extend a hand (a helping one, even a comforting one, will be most welcome)."

"So, I my advice to young people that want to be involved in politics, whether by joining government or just influencing policy, is to use their voices and use the various platforms in a very constructive manner, and constructive manner doesn’t mean you should always be in the side of government. If you’re on the side of government all the time, then you’re not really adding value."

"Never let anyone make you believe that you are not enough. You are enough. Public spaces, leadership spaces, money spaces are female spaces too! The most important thing is to ensure we are not comfortable in being the ‘only woman’ at the table. Any space can do with diversity."

"If there is no seat for you, bring a bench. But once you have a seat at the table, make sure that you’re not just there to check a box."

"We all deserve equal opportunity. Opportunity creates better livelihoods and opens up a world of possibilities for all."

"Everyone should be a women’s rights activist or an ally because, as cliché as it may sound, when a woman is empowered, she raises the whole society and community."

"Rise. There's no better time for us to be owning our spaces, doing what we believe in, and shining."

"There are positions of leadership that exist that we should take them up; we shouldn't shy away from speaking our voices. We should find a way to demand justice when it's necessary. Especially when it comes to the protection of women and children's rights."

"We live in a women's era where we have an unprecedented number of women in leadership positions in innovation."

"You cannot talk about poverty and not talk about empowering women."

"If not me then who? That is the important question we all have to ask ourselves everytime any opportunity knocks. Why is that we think maybe we are inadequate and who do we think would be in a better position to take that."

"We all deserve equal opportunity. Opportunity creates better livelihoods and opens up a world of possibilities for all. (16 April 2021) Retrieved 9 July 2022"

"Building a better world is everyone’s responsibility."

"Equity does not take away from anybody."