Independent (Mpule Kgetsi)

I am the founder and leader of Women Lead Africa an organisation whose mission is to increase the participation of women in leadership and other decision making processes through education and other behaviour change activities. Our purpose is putting women first and our agenda is to ensure that women and girls do not miss out on playing an active role in critical issues that affect their lives such as governance, climate change, and politics within their communities. Our flagship programme is the Botswana Model Parliament programme. This is a unique programme as it is a Model Parliament for women only. The Model Parliament has trained and empowered 100 young women to develop and cultivate their interest and knowledge in governance and politics through a simulation of Botswana’s Parliament. It is aimed at addressing the lack of participation of women in politics in Botswana. We are also currently in the process of developing a tool kit that teaches soft skills to children and young people including women who cannot read or write. My role is to design programmes, develop curriculums, grant writing and spearhead all the initiatives and ensure they are well executed and all impact objectives are met. Through this organisation I have hosted initiatives that have reached over 500 people in Botswana in its first year of operation and registration, including two intercultural dialogues on how culture could be used to build peace between men and women instead of being polarising. I am also the founder and coordinator of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Peace and Security Knowledge Network which comprises young African leaders working collectively to enhance knowledge on peace and security in the continent. My aim in creating this network was to create a space for more young people to be involved in realising the continental framework for peace and security and this is my way of heading the charge at promoting African-led ideas and processes of change. I was one of 12 young people that were selected in Africa to physically attend the Luanda Biennale in November 2023 and contribute to dialogues with high level leaders on promoting a culture of peace in Africa. My academic credentials include a Master’s degree in the Dynamics of Cooperation, Conflict and Negotiation in International Relations and Diplomacy and a Bachelor of Laws degree. My Master's degree thesis was on the impact of armed conflict on sexual reproductive health and rights in Africa. I analysed different international instruments and provided recommendations thus demonstrating capacity to monitor global developments and identifying key issues for research and action.