Ostrich Shell Neck Band - Triangle Stitch

Women in Botswana hold a significant amount of political power compared to other sub-Saharan African countries. However, although women accounted for 57 percent of the voting public in the October 2004 parliamentary elections, they unfortunately stood for office much less frequently. Currently there are 7 women in the 61-seat Parliament, 5 women in the 20-seat cabinet, 3 female justices on the 13-seat high court, and 2 women in the 15-seat house of chiefs. Increasing political participation does indicate great strides in women's emancipation, but some laws and traditional practices continue to negatively affect women, particularly in the rural areas. Botswana is an extremely rural country, with much of the population concentrated around the capital urban center.

The law does not specifically prohibit domestic violence against women. Under customary law and in common rural practice, men have the right to “chastise” their wives. Greater public awareness and improved legal protection have resulted in increased reporting of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The law prohibits rape but does not recognize the concept of spousal rape. By law the minimum sentence for rape is 10 years, increasing to 15 years with corporeal punishment if the offender is HIV-positive and 20 years with corporeal punishment if the offender knew his HIV-positive status. A person convicted of rape is required to undergo an HIV test before being sentenced.

Women legally have the same civil rights as men, but societal discrimination does remain an issue. Some traditional laws restrict women's property rights and economic opportunities. There are three systems governing marriage laws, each with its own implications regarding property rights. A woman married under traditional law or in “common property” is legally considered a minor and requires her husband's consent to buy or sell property, apply for credit and enter into legally binding contracts. An intermediate system called “in community of property” allows married women to own immovable property in their own names, and stipulates that neither spouse can dispose of joint property without the written consent of the other. Women are increasingly exercising their right to marry “out of common property” and are able to retain their full legal rights as adults. Polygamy is legal under traditional law with the consent of the first wife, but it is uncommon.

Female life expectancy at birth: 33.56 years
Total fertility rate: 2.79 children born/woman
Infant mortality rate: 53.7 deaths/1,000 live births
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence: 37.3% (2003 estimate)
Literacy: Male 76.9%; Female 82.4%
Per capita income: $10,000, 30.3% below poverty line
Percentage of households headed by women: 46%

• Approximate length - 15.5 inches
• Button closure
• Grade 2 beads

$30.00 USD

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Global Sistergoods carries many products made with ostrich shell beading, an ancient art of the San. Ostrich shell beads, "the pearls of the Kalahari", are made singly by hand by breaking the large shells into small pieces. A hole is then drilled into each piece with an awl (usually a sharp dowel fitted with a nail). The pieces are threaded together on sinew (or nowadays, on plastic thread) and then chipped into a rough bead with the use of a springbok horn or nail clippers. The string of rough beads is then run through a groove in wood and smoothed with a grinding stone. For color, some beads are roasted in a fire. The beads are then strung into bracelets, necklaces, headbands or earrings. Ostrich eggs are strictly regulated in Botswana by the Department of Wildlife. Global Sistergoods sources their beaded products through a nonprofit who obtains eggshells through ostrich farms, and distributes the shells to artisans in remote communities.

Our Botswanan products are made by San, the "First People of the Kalahari", artisans located in and around Ghanzi District. In the past, the San (or "Kwhe" or "Bushmen") lived as hunter-gatherers, traveling in small groups consisting usually of 5-6 families. These groups, which were 25-50 persons in size, were tied to other groups through bonds of kinship, marriage, friendship, and trade. In the past, the San groups moved freely about their traditional lands. Today, the San are largely displaced from their ancestral lands, and have adapted a variety of ways to interact with other ethnic groups, and government and international institutions. However, many San live below the poverty line and face difficulties accessing social services, employment and income-generating opportunities. Most live in small settlements and earn a living through a combination of foraging, livestock raising, sustenance farming, and wage labor. In the case of the artisans with whom we partner, handcraft sales are a significant income generator.

The purchase of our traditional San products provides income for over one hundred women.