Wither Women in politics

MARCH 8 is the day the world recognises the role of women. But as has become the norm in Botswana, such important days go by without much fanfare or ado. We wake up to an official statement, a gathering there, a speech by the minister or some guest of honour here and, on rare occasion, a commitment to improve certain laws, policies and practices to ensure gender equality.

Then, within 24 hours, all is forgotten and life goes on. We can say the world is a better place today. But it still remains a man’s world. More and more women are climbing the professional ladder and even occupying management positions, as Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Edwin Batshu, noted at a public servants gathering celebrating the day last week. He observed that the country leads in the SADC region with women in leadership positions within public service at 44%.

He said over 70% of women are at management level within the public service, but in the private sector it is a sorry state, with less than 30%.

But then, just as the government pats itself in the back for doing good in getting women in management positions, we don’t have to rely on statistics to realise that at the top end, women’s heads are still being counted.

There are not many women directors and permanent secretaries in government departments and chief executive officers in parastatals.

The worst is in politics – breaking the glass ceiling is next to impossible. After 50 years of self-rule, Botswana is yet to have a parliament with at least 10% of women legislators. While the SADC gender protocol seeks 50%, of the 64 members of parliament, women are counted on one hand, five.

They would have been six, but for the recent passing away of the sole opposition MP, Same Bathobakae. A man will replace her. The current state of affairs is that women MPs make up 7.8% of the total.