GL@25

A quarter of a century that's incredible. Gender Links has changed the lives of hundreds of women and I am one of them. I never thought that at the age of 65 my life would change drastically. I became a trainer, a writer and a researcher. At the beginning Colleen held my hands but soon I started to walk on my own. I opened a Gender Links satellite office in Mauritius, opened GL chapters in Seychelles, DRC and helped with a satellite office in Madagascar. My work in Mauritius spread throughout the country and the President of the Republic, on the advice of the Prime Minister, awarded me a high distinction GOSK. Thank you Gender Links for my growth. You helped me to make giant footsteps and this empowered so many people of a variety of ages and sex.

Congrats GL! Twenty-five years has been a great journey. You worked so hard and unconditionally supported the Botswana Gender Course. You grew, molded and guided me in the sector and I AM coz of you GL. Thanks a million. THANKS TO YOU for our land mark; 2012 GBV Indicator Study, followed by the 2018 National Relationship Study, which broke critical ground on the GBV situation in BW. OUR DEEP APPRECIATION for such a rich piece of information! The Country now understands GBV and its dynamics and complexity and are able to deal with it appropriately. We pray and trust that your journey into the Golden Jubilee will bring the SADC Region more insight and inspiration into National Gender Programmes. Your Annual SADC Gender Monitor is deeply missed though Great work you’ve done in this important season. Keep strong, the Region still needs you.

Congratulations - what an incredible milestone. In our village, we have seen the impact of your work in real and meaningful ways. We see it in the confidence of our girls, in our tutors and coaches stepping into leadership, in the safe, supportive spaces we are building for children every day. Being connected to Gender Links reminds us that even in a small rural community like ours, our work matters. That young voices matter. That women’s voices matter. We are proud to celebrate this moment with you and grateful to be connected to a journey that continues to stand for dignity, equality and opportunity.