Emang Basadi : Programmes Emang Basetsana (Girl-Child Empowerment Programme)

Emang Basetsana (Girl-Child Empowerment Programme)

Emang Basadi Youth Programme (Emang Basetsana) is a pilot project which addresses girl-child problems in the Botswana society. During the Beijing Conference in September 1995, the girl-child was identified as one of the major critical areas of concern. Emang Basadi therefore saw it vital to attend to her problems as a matter of policy and to address the problems and challenges identified.

Vision
Making the girl-child part of the solution rather than art of the problem bedevilling Botswana society and to decolonize girl-child’s mind to enable her to internalize the concept of innate superiority of her own abilities

Aims

To empower the girl-child in Botswana through education
To network with other organizations, share information and collaborate on related issues to solve issues encountered
Increase awareness and understanding of problems faced by the girl-child in the society
To raise awareness among youth (boys and girls) about specific problems they face in all sectors of the Botswana society
To work towards with the youth for greater equality and removal of all socio-cultural and economic barriers that hinder the development of the youth, girl-child in particular
To tackle the social, political and economic problems faces by the girl-child in particular
To empower youth to develop action-oriented strategies and mobilize them to take steps that will help them to change the social, political and economic norms of Botswana
To highlight and give concrete recognition to the important role that youth play in national development.
To create a platform for the youth to dialogue on issues affecting them on a day-to-day basis

The following is a list of issues that prompted the actual formation of Emang Basetsana:

Sexual Exploitation & Abuse

Sexual abuse by relatives
Sexual harassment in schools, hospitals & recreational arenas
Physical violence
Prostitution
Rape, including defilement and incest

Cultural Norms/Practices

Ethnic restriction on relationships
Cultural pressures, expectations of behaviour and patterns of thoughts
Early marriages

Personal

Lack of self-confidence & low self esteem
Lack of motivation and purpose in life
Low level of education
Lack of support services outside family circle
Mental conditioning & attitude problems

General

Moral decline in the society
Poverty
HIV/AIDS & sexually transmitted infections

EMANG BASADI