Professor Maria Böhmer, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, will visit Botswana from 23 to 26 August to mark the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the country’s independence in September. She will hold talks with Foreign Minister Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Education Minister Dr Unity Dow, Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Kokorwe and other senior figures from the spheres of business, culture and politics. The focus of the talks will be on paying tribute to the positive developments in Botswana, professional education and strengthening women’s role in civil society. Before leaving Germany, Minister of State Böhmer issued the following statement today (22 August):

“In many different ways, Botswana is one of Africa’s success stories. It is also of great importance to me personally to support the endeavours to empower women in politics, business, academia and culture. Professional education gives young people opportunities in their own country. Enhancing young people’s professional education is an important task throughout Africa, also as regards preventing the reasons why people flee."

Botswana is the seat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other organisations. Women hold some positions in politics and society, including at the highest levels.