A recent Gender Links study highlights democratic erosion in Botswana, particularly for women’s political participation, as only 3 women were elected to the National Assembly, lowering representation to 8.7%. Women’s local government representation has also dropped to 15%. Positive trends include increased women in cabinet positions and initiatives to enhance women’s political inclusion, yet significant media under-representation persists, with women making just 4% of election news sources.
Botswana, recognized for its stable democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa, is experiencing “democratic erosion” particularly regarding women’s political participation, according to a study by Gender Links. The report indicates that following the recent election victory of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), women’s representation has significantly declined, triggering concerns about the actual meaning of democracy in the country.
The study notes that only three out of 28 women who contested for National Assembly seats were elected, resulting in a troubling representation rate of 8.7%, the lowest within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This decrease is notable as global efforts strive towards equal women’s participation in political decision-making.
Moreover, women’s representation in local government has also dropped, currently sitting at just 15%. There remains a positive trend with women in cabinet increasing from 17% to 22%, hinting at the new government’s commitment to improving women’s representation in leadership roles.
Analysis over a 15-year timeframe reveals fluctuations in women’s political representation, with the current situation marking the lowest level in the SADC region. The first-time occurrence of having only one woman assistant minister further highlights the challenges faced by women in politics.
Overall, the 2024 elections resulted in more losses than gains for women’s representation. Mabetha Manteboheleng from Gender Links remarked that the media’s role in amplifying women’s voices during elections remains critically important for advancing gender equality.
The Gender Links audit was part of a project aimed at enhancing women’s political participation across Africa. The initiative offered training academies, inter-generational dialogue, and mentoring, resulting in over 100 women politicians from multiple political parties participating, with 14 candidates contesting elections. Yet, despite the increase in female candidates, they secured only limited positions in government.
Additionally, a media monitoring project revealed alarming gender disparities, as women represented only 4% of news sources in election coverage. This significant under-representation further marginalizes women’s voices, negatively affecting democratic inclusivity in Botswana.
Gender Links Special Advisor Colleen Lowe Morna stated, “In over twenty years of gender and media monitoring across Southern Africa, this is the worst outcome we have ever seen.”
In conclusion, Botswana’s recent elections reveal troubling trends regarding women’s participation in politics, reflecting a concerning decline in representation, particularly following the 2024 elections. Despite an increase in female candidates, actual representation has diminished, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the democratic framework. Media under-representation exacerbates this issue, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to foster inclusivity and gender equality in decision-making. Continued efforts by organizations like Gender Links are essential to address these disparities and promote women’s political involvement.
Original Source: allafrica.com
