The Pan Afrikanist reporter
In a luncheon hosted by the High Commissioner of India and Special Representative to SADC, H.E. Dr. Rajesh Ranjan on the 17th September 2022 in Gaborone, women empowerment was one of the highlights of the day.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was established on the 15th September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India, with their major activity being training and capacity building.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Rajesh Ranjan mentioned that India would like to contribute in realising the transformational agenda of Botswana’s Vision 2036 by ensuring that more Batswana benefit from this programme.
Former Member of Parliament for Shoshong Phillip Makgalemele attested that women empowerment forms a fair part of the ITEC agenda through ensuring that semi-literate women also benefit from the programme by sending them to India for training.
He confirmed that he knew some women from rural areas who have had the opportunity to go for six-months training in solar energy capacity building programme.
He has also had the opportunity to visit the college which trains these women, and discovered that they also acquired other skills such as chalk making, making mosquito nets, sanitary pads, as well as rainwater harvesting skills among others.
He however pointed out that the most frustrating thing is that there Is no continuity upon return from training and that something needed to be done in that area to ensure that their skills are put to good use.
Adding on to women empowerment, Assistant Minister of Education also Member of Parliament for Mmopane Lentsweletau constituency Nnaniki Makwinja said she was pleased by the emphasis on skills development and women empowerment, and observed that there is a lack of practical skills to actually pursue businesses and implementation of these acquired skills.
She urged the beneficiaries of this programme to seek opportunities and put their skills to use so that they don’t become redundant, saying that there are upcoming opportunities for solar plants that these women should be on the lookout for.
Lastly, H.E Dr. Ranjan Rajesh mentioned that the ITEC programme promotes a lot of areas, including sports and that the Embassy has partnered with the Botswana Table Tennis Association to ensure that athletes get educated in order to increase their international competitiveness.
The luncheon ended with a buffet of Indian cuisine, and some of the programme Alumni sharing their experiences of studying in India.
