𝐌𝐘𝐆𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐋𝐆𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs (MYGA), together with the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs (MLGTA), today held an Inter-Ministerial meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration and finding practical solutions to challenges affecting communities, particularly in rural areas.
Speaking during the meeting, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Honourable Ketlhalefile F.C. Motshegwa, underscored the importance of a coordinated approach in improving the lives of young people, children, women and men. Minister Motshegwa noted that rural communities continue to grapple with challenges such as unemployment and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which require targeted interventions and collective action.
Honourable Motshegwa further revealed that discussions have been held with the Ministry of Finance to mobilise resources for programmes that will directly benefit rural communities and create opportunities for economic participation.

He also proposed the revival of Bogosi-led initiation schools, highlighting their historical role in instilling values, discipline and social responsibility among young people. Minister Motshegwa said traditional teachings and guidance could play a meaningful role in addressing social challenges, including Gender Based Violence.

On her part, Minister Chombo said the recent restructuring of Government Ministries provides a valuable opportunity to build a stronger and more coordinated working relationship between the two Ministries. Minister Chombo noted that MYGA is focused on ensuring that Youth and Gender considerations are integrated into Government programmes and policies so that young people, Men and Women can fully participate in and benefit from economic development initiatives.

Honourable Chombo identified several areas for collaboration, including advancing Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), promoting greater participation of women in leadership and decision-making spaces, and supporting efforts towards gender equality legislation. Chombo also emphasised the importance of information and data sharing on programmes such as Ikageng to support informed planning and ensure interventions respond effectively to the needs of women and vulnerable groups.

On Youth Development , Minister Chombo highlighted the Youth Development Fund (YDF), implemented in partnership with UNICEF, as one of the key programmes supporting young people, particularly those in rural communities. She noted that greater emphasis would be placed on mentorship, coaching and skills development through partnerships with local authorities and the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA).

Honourable Chombo further stressed that enhanced collaboration and data sharing between Ministries would help identify opportunities, address service gaps and minimise duplication, ultimately improving the impact of Government programmes on beneficiaries.

The meeting reflects Government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, enhancing service delivery and creating inclusive opportunities that improve the lives of Batswana, particularly young people, Women and Men in rural communities.