Glass ceiling scuffle
Women participation in politics lowest in Botswana Women urged to create sustainable networks and build resilience
Women who are active in, or are interested in campaigning for political seats have been encouraged to create support networks and seize opportunities to have their voices heard in the political landscape. With the correct capacity building tools and networks, Batswana women can play a significant role in politics and take on political leadership positions, said Democracy Works Foundation regional director Augustine Magolowondo on the last day of a two-day workshop held in Gaborone recently.
The workshop was aimed at developing the skills and improving the knowledge of women in politics. Magolowondo noted that women in Botswana do have potential to play a competitive key role in politics provided that they prepare themselves adequately. “Women in Botswana can take political leadership, but that can happen if they prepare themselves well in time before national elections.” He encouraged women who are considering taking on political office to look at the upcoming nation elections in 2024 and beyond.
About 58 women took part in the workshop, which is the third cohort. The first and second cohorts completed the training in October and November last year.
The Democracy Works Foundation’s Botswana Democracy Works Academy, seeks to improve women’s knowledge and skills in political participation, leadership and decision making. It is one of the interventions under the Capacity Enhancement for Political Advancement for women, funded by the US Embassy.
A commissioned report on political participation among women released late last year by Gender Links indicates that Botswana is the only country across southern Africa with the lowest participation and representation of women in politics.
In her keynote address, Assistant Minister of Basic Education Nnaniki Makwinja, who is one of just five women in Parliament, noted that Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing and transforming mechanisms that drive the inclusion and participation of women in politics, emphasising that equal participation in politics is a key priority for government.
“Women’s equal participation in decision making is not only a demand for simple justice and democracy but also a fundamental condition for women’s interest, to be taken into account to guard gender programming in Botswana.”
Last year, Democracy Works Foundation collaborated with the US Embassy to train and mentor Batswana women who are interested in taking on leadership roles in politics. The year-long project was funded to the tune of US$250 000, approximately P2.9 million, by the US government.
Democracy Works Foundation is mandated to offer tools for developing resilient democracies across southern Africa, enhance capacity and develop impact. The US government, which has extended support to various sectors in Botswana, has expressed a vested interest in seeing more women taking on political roles.
Speaking at the launch of the programme last year, US Ambassador to Botswana, Craig Cloud, reiterated that Batswana women are doing exceptionally well in the business and corporate world, but struggle to “break the glass ceiling” in political leadership, indicating that this is not necessarily because of disinterest, but lack of resources and support networks that could be beneficial to their development.
He echoed that the programme would assist women to identify their potential, refine their leadership skills and equip them with knowledge on how to raise funds and set checks and balances to position themselves in political campaigns.