Bogolo Kenewendo, an economist, made waves around the world five years ago when she became Botswana’s trade minister at the age of 31, making her one of the youngest government ministers globally.
In an interview with the BBC Focus on Africa podcast, Kenewendo bravely opened up about her personal experiences of sexual harassment and discrimination during her 19-month tenure in the position.
Reflecting on her time in the office, she candidly discussed how she navigated the challenging environment. Being a young woman in such a high-profile role subjected her to countless insinuations about how she secured the position. Additionally, she faced unwanted sexual advances and, in some instances, harassment from colleagues.
Kenewendo disclosed that she reported a serious incident to her superiors, and appropriate action was taken, although she did not delve into the specifics.
These experiences fueled her determination to champion the rights of women and children. Feeling empowered by her own journey, she took on the task of introducing bills in parliament aimed at safeguarding the well-being and protection of women and children in Botswana.
