Women have long been known for their love of dressing up, a trait often dismissed as vanity but increasingly recognised as a quiet expression of strength.
Through colour, fabric and style, women communicate who they are before they even speak and what may seem like a simple daily routine for many, women take it as a deliberate act of self-definition.
Getting dressed becomes a way of preparing not just for the day, but for the many roles women are expected to fulfil.
It is within this context that the recent dress-up campaign by the Department of Gender Affairs finds meaning beyond its two-day run.
While positioned as a celebration of confidence, the campaign also highlighted how personal style can shape how women see themselves and how they are seen by others.
Gender Affairs Officer at the Department of Gender Affairs in Maun, Abaleng Khombani, said the initiative was aimed at recognising an important aspect of women’s lives.
“The idea of a dress-up campaign was brought up as a way of highlighting the one aspect in women’s lives that sets them apart,” she said.
She added that fashion should not be reduced to appearance alone, but understood as part of how women expressed confidence and individuality.
Khombani said dressing was increasingly becoming less about meeting expectations and more about taking control of one’s image.
For Ditiro Mathula, dressing up has become a personal source of confidence rather than pressure.
“I used to worry about being overdressed or underdressed, but now I dress for myself, and it gives me confidence to face the day,” she said.
She said balancing work and family responsibilities required mental preparation, and dressing well had become part of that process. Beyond style, however, women’s strength continues to be measured in the roles they carry each day.Kgosi Catherine Matlhare of Old Disana said women must rise above societal expectations and embrace their role as pillars of their families and communities.
“Women must walk with their heads held high, not just in how they look, but in how they stand up for their children,” she said.
She called on women to remain vigilant and protect the next generation, particularly in the face of increasing cases of substance abuse among young people.
Kgosi Matlhare said the responsibility to guide and protect children rests strongly within families and communities.
Across society, women continue to carry multiple roles as mothers, sisters, wives and providers and in these roles, fashion becomes more than style, it becomes part of how women prepare themselves to meet the demands of daily life.
Director at Women Against Rape (WAR), Peggy Ramaphane said women played a central role in shaping communities and guiding future generations.
She said although women faced different challenges, they continued to lead with resilience and influence the direction of society.
Ramaphane emphasised the importance of recognising women as equal contributors and key drivers of development.
In a world that often focuses on how women look, their true strength lies in what they carry and how they show up each day.
In that balance between style and substance, many women are proving that dressing up is not just about looking good, but about standing strong.
