BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association

Raising funds for child care facilities for workers in the informal economy in Botswana
For many women workers in the informal economy ,quality childcare not only allows them to work but also represents a way out of poverty. Any small contribution to gofundme can help us make a difference for women in the informal sector.

Final day of the AfCFTA Awareness workshops in Gaborone
Botswana informal sector women commission had a privilage to attend this workshop

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) awareness workshop with UNDP Botswana and YALDA Botswana ends today. The workshop brought an opportunity to unpack the women and youth protocol and sharing knowledge on relevant information regarding product entry requirements, processes and procedures to access the African market.






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BOISA is still raising funds to provide childcare services for informal workers. Please follow the link below. We plan to secure $3500 to acquire a portable cabin in Gaborone to be used as a childcare facility for those in need. Any contribution will be appreciated in making a difference to the lives of women in the informal sector. Our recent survey and interviews with women in the informal sector found the following:
-Mothers reported significant food insecurity for themselves and their children;
-They make significantly lower incomes leaving fewer resources for childcare;
-Mothers have to limit their work in winter to protect their children leading to loss of income.
The porta cabin will be managed by BOISA and is meant to provide shelter as well as learning and recreational material.

Donate to BOISA: Childcare Service for Informal Workers, organized by Oatile Ramsay We created this fundraiser to raise BWP 50,000 (~$3,622) to better underst… Oatile Ramsay needs your support for BOISA: Childcare Service for Informal Workers

Happy Presidents' Day, Botswana!
Today, we honor the leaders who have guided our beautiful nation towards growth and prosperity

BOISA recently held the Child Care in Markets workshop in partnership with the Village Development Committee of Nkoyapiri .The objective of the workshop was to present the preliminary findings of the working conditions and childcare practices of informal workers.For more information please contact us.

BOISA wishes all the men happy fathers day!

We celebrate you,your efforts and your hard work, keep doing good!

Happy Mother's Day
In honour of Mother’s Day, we celebrate all parents—the care they give, the time they sacrifice, and the communities they foster.
For gender equality to be achieved policymakers need value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution mothers make to economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work.

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✊🏼✊🏾 Workers' Day Message - May 1st 2024 ✊🏽✊🏿

Every year on the 1st of May, the world focuses on the needs and rights of workers. Workers and nations celebrate it in different ways.

‼️ As we celebrate Workers' Day this year, we note the increasing levels of informality coupled with decent work deficits in the formal economy, characterised by poor working conditions and the high cost of living. Occupational health and safety remain very key in the achievement of decent work standards. Health and safety cannot be achieved if we ignore the issues and effects of climate change on the environment, communities and workers in all spheres and sectors.

In order to achieve decent work standards, there is a need for conscious, deliberate, consistent and inclusive efforts, which involve also workers in the informal economy. 🤝🏾🤝🏿

Despite all the challenges, poverty and decline in decent employment, we celebrate the tenacity of workers and their consistent ability to fight for equality and dignity. 💪🏽💪🏿

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Convention 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work of the International Labour Organization. 📣 We call on governments that have not ratified it to join the ones that have in doing so.

🔥 Happy Workers' Day, fellow workers, as we continue to struggle for our rights and dignity! 🔥

Nothing for Us Without Us!
Viva Workers Viva!

Lorraine Ndlovu
President of StreetNet International
National President of ZCIEA

The Local Enterprise Authority, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association recently discussed the Chema Chema initiative introduced in Botswana. BOISA see's great potential in the fund in enhancing the development and growth of the informal economy especially when compared to previous initiatives such as Mabogo Dinku. However, capacity building for informal business owners is important as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the initiative through collaborating with BOISA .

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Clifford Kealeboga Clive Molathwa, Phidley Philly Olefile, Neo Toteng, Kabo Kukune, Japson Molapisi Matlalajase, Leonard Motlhabi, Cecilia Moabi, Christopher Nyatsego, Mothusi Rams, Mooki Gareitsanye, Dineo Motebele, Baagi Bakane, David Sebalusu

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In 2023, The Botswana Association of the Deaf in Gaborone received the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) award amounting to $20,000, to conduct sign language training workshops, integrate sign language interpretive services into public institutions across five regions in Botswana, and develop a deaf youth empowerment program.

You too can apply for the ASSHF and improve life in your community: https://bw.usembassy.gov/funding-opportunities/

Deadline to apply: May 17, 2024.

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Insufficient childcare options can prevent parents who wish to do work from doing so in the Informal Sector. This leaves potential economic growth unrealized.BOISA is committed to improving the working conditions of marginalised groups in the informal sector through research and challenging discriminatory laws and cultural practices

Happy International Women’s Day from BOISA: The theme this year is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate Progress
By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer, and more equal world for all. For gender equality to be achieved policymakers need value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make to economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work. Women spend around three times more time on unpaid care work than men and if these activities were assigned a monetary value they would account for more than 40 per cent of GDP.

The informal sector has expressed optimism regarding the newly proposed Chema Chema Fund
Mpho Matoteng, Secretary General of the Botswana Informal Sector Association (BOISA), hailed the potential of the fund in enhancing the development and growth of the informal economy. She emphasised the importance of capacity building for informal business owners, including skills like financial literacy, product development, and marketing. BOISA, representing a diverse range of informal economy workers, sees the fund as a crucial step towards addressing the financial access challenges faced by the sector. Mototeng underscored the significance of the Chema Chema initiative, citing its alignment with longstanding appeals from the informal sector for recognition and financial inclusivity. There is however, need for further clarity on fund accessibility and operational details

Informal sector loves Chema Chema as Masisi hints at increasing the Fund The informal sector has expressed optimism regarding the newly proposed Chema Chema Fund, announced during the budget speech. Geared towards

Fundraising... BWP 50,000 (~$3,622) to better understand and support childcare services for informal women workers in Botswana.
Where will your funding go?
Nutrition: Capacity building and training for nursing and expecting mothers on ways to enhance their family nutrition through dietary education and support to start at-home gardens in partnership with Seedco;
Productivity and multitasking: Training on how to juggle family, motherhood, and running a business through management and skills development;
Health: General health screening for mothers and children in partnership with the department of health
Awareness campaign on the services mentioned above, and others issues related to gender-based violence. Our goal is to also to ensure that there are better measures of actual time spent in childcare activities through research countrywide.

Fundraising... BWP 50,000 (~$3,622) to better understand and support childcare services for informal women workers in Botswana.
A recent study conducted by the Botswana Informal Sector Association, estimates that women informal workers generate between BWP1000—P3000 (~$72—$217) per month on average. In surveying 300 informal women workers, we found that: Mothers reported significant food insecurity for themselves and their children;They make significantly less income than their formal sector counterparts, leaving fewer resources for childcare;The public spaces where they set up stalls/workstations are unregulated, which can be dangerous, hazardous, and unhealthy for children; Most mothers with small children cannot fully operate their business during the winter season;The majority of women had to stop working for at least 2 months after the child’s birth, which severely reduced their earnings; Some have had to leave their businesses and source of income to care for their children at home;The long work hours leave little to no time for child care; Most informal economy workers cannot afford to pay for private pre-schooling rely on family members to take care of their children while working. As such, these women and children are often left in dire and uncertain circumstances. Therefore, we must continue to understand how these forms of work impact childcare and ways we can remedy these concerns.

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Happy Valentine's Day from BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association
Today is a day to celebrate all forms of love. It is a reminder to appreciate and cherish the relationships that bring joy and support into our lives.
True love on Valentine's Day is about showing appreciation, kindness, and affection to those we care about. BOISA is committed to improving the lives of informal traders and offering all forms of support that they may need.

BOISA - Botswana Informal Sector Association Child Care in Markets project
Without any maternity benefits, many women informal traders return to markets with their infants to earn income only a few weeks after giving birth. Women in the informal sector in Botswana are affected by long working hours, low earnings and travel long distances which leads to less time and resources to care for young children. In today’s world where we are speaking economic inclusion for all, we should be considering mothers in the informal sector in Botswana

BOISA CHILD CARE IN MARKETS PROGRAMME
BOISA recently carried out a child care in markets survey in Gaborone,Botswana to find out childcare and feeding practices and needs of mothers in the informal sector.Women's disproportionate responsibility for child care results in less time for paid work. Investing in quality child care provision can have positive economic and social impacts.

We remain grateful...

United Pool Tables United Pool Tables is a registered trademark that specialises in the manufacturing of pool tables and

What a beautiful inspiration

5 Lessons to Learn From 7 Kenyan Billionaires Who Started as Hawkers The seven Kenyan billionaires had their head start from the scruffy streets of Kenyan towns where they worked as hawkers.

The wait is over!

LEA TO DISBURSE P50 MILLION TO INFORMAL BUSINESSES THROUGH INDUSTRY SUPPORT FACILITY

The Industry Support Facility specifically caters for the Informal Sector through the provision of P100 million for Infrastructure Development and Grant Assistance, which is being administered by the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA).

Following the successful roll out of P49 million in support funding to informal businesses around the country in 2021, LEA is preparing to disburse round 2 of the funds.

The Grant Assistance will be extended to informal sector enterprises that are registered with LEA. Each qualifying informal sector business will receive a grant of P1,000.00 which is intended to assist the business stay afloat.

Part of the P50 million will go towards Infrastructure Developments projects like the Ledumang Car wash, 5200 ha small farmers farm in Gantsi and others...

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) provides general business development services in accordance with the Small Business Act. The Authority's mandate does not include providing funding or financial assistance to companies or individuals. The Industry Support Facility is an initiative to assist with improving market access and enhancing the capacity and quality of the value offering of the informal sector.

Botswana informal sector association is in Jwaneng 🎊 with Botswana association of local authorities in partnership with Jwaneng Town council engaging with Bagwebi in one of the objective
Creating a platform for informal traders to grow

This is exciting!🎊🎊🎊
Halala Bagwebi halala....

Ekem hakere wabona! We are getting there!

PRESS RELEASE

RESTRICTION OF IMPORTATION OF SCHOOL UNIFORM

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry wishes to inform the Public, Business Community and all stakeholders of Government’s decision to impose restriction on the importation of School Uniform through the Control of Goods, Prices and Other Charges Act, 2003, Statutory Instrument No 76 of 2021.

The Statutory Instrument No 76 of 2021 was published in the Government Gazette dated 24th September 2021. The Instrument restricts importation of school uniform and requires that import permit be issued if necessary.

The purpose of the Statutory Instrument is to promote local production, build competitiveness and sustainability of the local textile and clothing industry. It is further intended to stimulate investment and job creation within the Sector.

Thank you.

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Potso Thari
FOR/PERMANENT SECRETARY

Finally 💃💃💃💃 Sila👇 Juice e tsile the Juicing industry is about to feel it!
Special announcement informal traders get this Juice at a very good price if they buy through BOISA
Forward our orders and get it in Block 3 industrial

Call 72404930
For those who have forwarded ordered come and pay🙏