Female politicians made a laughing stock

When a woman throws her name in the hat for elections, many start digging into her past, her love life, family background, academic qualifications and any dirt that can be used to discredit her before she can even start.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) is used as one of the deadliest weapons to bring women down in politics. This is not the case with their male counterparts, in fact many male politicians in Botswana never get questioned on their academic qualifications. Being a man is ticket enough to get them rolling into political action. Even if some ask who they are, the answer will be, he is a man, he will find a way to swim through. It is only in some few instances that men have their shenanigans splashed in the media when in power. However, the public bash is mostly extreme with women. For example, the society is likely to laugh off an article about a promiscuous man. Some even go to the extent of labelling him a beast, hence the many ladies throwing themselves at him. The only time that the public gets angry and voice out in strong condemnation is when the matter is about rape or defilement. However, a promiscuous woman is labelled a disgrace to the public. She is trashed and spat on because women are expected to be ‘holy’ and respect their bodies. Her morals are questioned and her family name trashed badly so that she is buried from all ends. Sadly, such has given room for abuse. Male politicians come into the political battleground already knowing which buttons to press to offend or set off women. One example of emotional abuse against women political figures that was cited at the Women Political Participation workshop by Gender Links in Johannesburg South Africa this week, was when the leader of opposition Dumelang Saleshando referred to Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Talita Monnakgotla as blank in parliament a few years ago. “Mo ke lehihi hela,” Saleshando had said. Unfortunately, such utterances have stuck in the minds of many, including voters, resulting in Monnakgotla being a subject of debate and being discredited for the longest period. She has to constantly prove herself in parliament and it is not easy because at times other Members of Parliament crack out in laughter when she speaks. She has nonetheless soldiered on and it was pleasing when President Mokgweetsi Masisi appointed her Assistant Minister back in January this year. It was proof enough that though she is mocked more than any other MP, she is not useless. One striking feature about her is that she passionately speaks to issues affecting her people in Kgalagadi North. Perhaps that is what landed her the Ministry job. Zimbabwe gender activist, Rumbzai Kandawasvika Nhundu told participants at the Johannesburg training that patriarchy is a non monetary resource for men. Being born male puts them a step ahead and that is why there are many emerging cases of violence against women. “Because gender is already a weapon to say this is not your space - a weapon used to hurt women and keep them away and silence them. ”Whenever a woman steps forward, she is asked what difference she is bringing. Why should women always have to prove themselves and men do not? The burden on women is at 150 percent and men maybe at 70 percent, this is why there is skepticism to join politics by women and still no female president in the region by now,” she said.