decision making positions in the Public sector, Botswana is ranked second, in Southern Africa, with a record of 35% women Permanent Secretaries and 45% Directors. Botswana has also been able to get over one third of women representation in its Heads of Missions across the globe. Heads of Missions by Sex12 Heads of Missions Percentage (%) Male 13 62 Female 8 38 Total 21 100 Despite the constitutional guarantees of equality, in comparison to male participation, except in the public sector, women participation in political and public life continues to show a stagnated and slow growth and in other instances a decline. In response thereto, the Gender National Strategy has, among others, prioritized women empowerment with regard to political power, decision making as well as democratic governance. ARTICLE 4 RESPECT OF ONE’S LIFE AND INTEGRITY Section 4 of the Constitution of Botswana confers on every individual in Botswana the right to life and further outlines the instances under which this right may be deprived. Section 25 of the Penal Code states that death may be inflicted as punishment by a court of law. Section 26 thereof states that the death sentence shall not be pronounced against any person who is under the age of 18 or a pregnant women under any circumstances. Under the Penal Code, two offences attract the death penalty. Treason attracts the death penalty in terms of Section 34 thereof and murder, in terms of Section 203 of the same Act. In case of the offence of murder, a death sentence is mandatory, though a lesser sentence may be imposed where there are extenuating circumstances. 12 See Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation, 2013. 31 | P a g e