Increasing Women’s Representation in Botswana’s Parliament: A Call to Action
Botswana faces significant under-representation of women in parliament, with only three women securing seats during the previous elections. Despite women being 54% of eligible voters, their representation has declined. Political parties need to reform their candidate selection processes to promote gender equality and ensure democracy.
Botswana’s political landscape continues to raise the pressing question: where are the women? With the upcoming general elections in 2024, it is paramount to address the alarming under-representation of women in parliament. In the previous election cycle, only 28 women competed among 258 candidates, resulting in merely three women winning seats. This marks a significant decline in female representation, dropping to 4.92% from 5.26% in 2019, despite 54% of eligible voters being women.
Numerous studies indicate that women’s representation in governance is essential for inclusive policy-making that reflects the society’s needs. In Botswana, although women constitute a majority of eligible voters, their presence in legislative power has not proportionately increased. Political parties in Botswana have a pivotal role in reshaping their internal structures and candidate selections to promote gender parity within their ranks. This issue has been on the agenda since the Southern African Development Community launched a gender checklist in 2002, aiming to ensure gender equality during elections.
In conclusion, Botswana’s political parties must prioritize the inclusion of women within their structures and candidate selections to foster a genuinely democratic environment. Enhancing women’s representation in parliament is not merely a question of fairness; it is critical for effective governance that addresses the issues faced by the broader population. Without decisive action, the voices and needs of women will continue to be overlooked in the political sphere.
Original Source: constitutionnet.org
