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    Botswana’s women boxing on the rise 

    Boxers Finally Receive their Prize Money from 2022 African Championships

    Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

    Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

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    Botswana athletes to train in USA

    Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

    Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

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    Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

    April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

    April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

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      Botswana’s women boxing on the rise 

      Boxers Finally Receive their Prize Money from 2022 African Championships

      Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

      Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

      Botswana athletes to train in USA

      Botswana athletes to train in USA

      Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

      Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

      Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

      Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

      April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

      April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

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      Inclusion Represents Currency and Profit

      Botswana rose to the ranks of countries that no longer criminalise the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people when the High Court struck down three sections of the penal code in 2019. Prior to this ruling, LGBTQ+ people were subjected to selective inclusion based on people’s positions on their rights and social value.

      mm by Katlego Kolanyane-Kesupile
      May 23, 2022
      in News
      Reading Time: 2 mins read
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      Inclusion Represents Currency and Profit
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      With this shift to being a more inclusive country, it is important for the business sector at large to view opportunities to provide for, and engage with, this demographic beyond profitability and toward social investment.

      As May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), there are some lessons on inclusion worth sharing. While the primary support for the LGBTQ+ community in Botswana has come from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) since the birth of their human rights battles in 1999, much of the funding has come from outside of the country. This lack of local financing further reinforced perceptions that the community was the responsibility of those outside of Botswana. What went unnoticed is the economic impact that this community, much like many marginalised communities, has on matters of national concern.

      While statistics from Botswana are not yet known, 2019 research published by Business Insider declared: “The economic cost of homophobia in sub-Saharan Africa could be up to USD 4.9 billion.” This cost unfolds through under-employment, over-representation in unemployment, and social insecurity, among other concerns.

      With the global landscape of diversity and inclusion positions proliferating, it is incumbent on non-criminalising countries to fast-track their inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons as a matter of social responsibilities and economic intelligence. The so-called ‘Pink Rand’ in South Africa, a term that not only represents “the spending power of the LGBTI community but their influence across social circles and constructs as both a social grouping and economic segment”, according to The Other Foundation, is the closest regional reference for Botswana.

      Their 2015 report valued the Pink Rand “between R53 billion and R204 billion”.  Providing context for these statistics, PwC framed it thus: “The big four banks in South Africa recorded profits amounting to R72,3 billion in 2015,” clearly outshone by the potential this demographic has.

      The resolution of the contentious relationship between social perceptions of LGBTQ+ people in Botswana and their lived realities has been a point of commentary from former president Festus Mogae and incumbent president Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi. President Masisi’s recent vow to ensure the enjoyment of dignified living for LGBTQ+ people in Botswana should serve as an incentive to the business community. Inclusion assists in countering bottom line losses caused by factors such as mental health, housing instabilities, early loss of life, social ills and lack of motivation that have plagued the LGBTQ+ community.

      Knowing that people will spend where they feel comfortable and seen – a lesson evident in the Black business support initiatives by African Americans – it is smarter for Botswana to work toward inclusion than not to. The currency of inclusion, from staffing to service provision, can go a long way toward boosting a business’ bottom line and the fostering of greater national prosperity.

      Tags: and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)BiphobiabisexualDr. Mokgweetsi MasisiFestus MogaegayHigh CourtInternational Day Against HomophobialesbianPWCtransgender and queer (LGBTQ+)

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