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5 9 1 The Southern Africa Protocol Alliance comprises: The Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance vision is Action Aid Africa Regional Office African Court Coalition of a region in which women and men are equal in all Association of Local Authorities, Namibia African Fathers Initiative spheres. The Alliance promotes and facilitates the creation African Women Economic Policy Network Botswana Council of NGOs (BOCONGO) of gender equity and equality through lobbying and Coordinating Assembly of Non Governmental Organisations, Swaziland advocacy towards the achievement of the 28 targets of Christian Council of Churches (Mozambique) the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development by 2015. CIVICUS Council of Churches (Zambia) Gender Links coordinates the work of the Alliance. Federation of African Media Women - SADC Federation for the Promotion of Women and Children(FPFP) © Gender Advocacy Programme Copyright Southern Africa Gender Protocol 2010 Gender and Media in Southern Africa Network Barometer - Botswana Gender Links Institute of Security Studies (ISS) Justice and Peace Malawi Council of Churches Gender Links Media Watch Media Institute of Southern Africa 9 Derrick Avenue NANGOF Trust, Namibia NGO Gender Coordination Network, Cyrildene, 2198 Malawi NGO Coordinating Council, Zambia Johannesburg, South Africa People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) SAMDI Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Phone: 27 (11) 622 2877 Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) South Africa Local Government Fax: 27 (11) 622 4732 Association (SALGA) Southern African Research and Email: [email protected] Documentation Centre - WIDSAA Society for Women and Aids in Africa - Websites: www.genderlinks.org.za Zambia (SWAAZ) Trade Collective www.sadcgenderprotocol.org Western Cape Network on Violence Against Women Women's Coalition, Zimbabwe Women, Land and Water Rights Southern Editors: Colleen Lowe Morna, Danny Glenwright and Africa (WLWRSA) Women & Law in Southern Africa Roos van Dorp Women in Law and Development in Africa Women in Networking (WIN), Mauritius Front cover: Kgakgamatso Elizabeth Motshome. In Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU) Womensnet Selokwaneng Tlokweng she raises four orphans and Young Women Christian Association- Botswana another three children of her unemployed daughter. Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association Zimbabwe Women Resources Centre She is very confident and aware of her rights and raises Associate Members: African Women and Child Feature Service her grandchildren with joy. Everything is Possible Inter Press Service (SA) Photo by Roos van Dorp Swedish Co-op Centre University of Botswana Design/Layout: Top Art Graphics & Promotions cc University of Gothenburg Partners: FEMNET Unless otherwise specified, all tables and figures UNECA Africa Centre for Gender and © Social Development Gender Links. African Union Women, Gender and Development Directorate United Nations Fund for Women (Southern Africa) Sponsor: UKaid Contents

List of tables and figures 2 Acknowledgements 3 Acronyms 4 Executive summary 5

COUNTRY CONTEXT 12 Country profile

CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS 13 Articles 4-11

GOVERNANCE 21 Articles 12-13

EDUCATION AND TRAINING 31 Article 14

PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT, 37 ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Articles 15-19

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE 43 Articles 20-25

HEALTH, HIV AND AIDS 49 Article 26

HIV AND AIDS 51 Article 27

MEDIA, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 55 Articles 29-31

IMPLEMENTATION 67 Article 32-36 Tables Figures

Table 1: SADC Gender Protocol Score Card for Botswana 8 Figure 1: Percentage pregnant women on PMTC 7 Table 2: Analysis of gender equality clauses in the Figure 2: Proportion of women and men in SADC Constitution 14 parliaments 25 Table 3: Access to justice 17 Figure 3: Proportion of women and men in local Table 4: Marriage and family laws; the boy and girl child 20 government 26 Table 5: Representation of women and men in the Figure 4: Proportion of women and men in cabinet 27 executive committee 21 Figure 5: Percentage of learners in secondary education 31 Table 6: Gender in political party manifestos for 2009 Figure 6: Proportion of girls and boys in primary schools 33 elections 23 Figure 7: Proportion of girls and boys in secondary school 33 Table 7: Global and regional ranking of women Figure 8: Proportion of women and men in tertiary parliamentarians 26 education 33 Table 8: Women and men registered to vote 27 Figure 9: Literacy levels of women and men 34 Table 9: Candidates fielded at national level 27 Figure 10: Proportion of women and men teachers 34 Table 10: Candidates fielded at local level 28 Figure 11: Proportion of women and men in economic- Table 11: Election results national 28 decision making by country 38 Table 12: Election results local 28 Figure 12: Topics covered by media - Botswana 64 Table 13: Women in parliament and cabinet 28 Figure 13: Women and men as news sources by media - Table 14: Women in local councils 29 Botswana 64 Table 15: Civil service decision-makers 29 Figure 14: Who speaks on what - Botswana 65 Table 16: Enhancing participation by women in public life 30 Figure 15: GBV topic breakdown - Botswana 66 Table 17: Access and enrolment in education sector 2006 32 Table 18: Pass rates 35 Table 19: Women and men at the University of Botswana 35 ANNEX A: List of documents accessed and submitted 69 Table 20: Women and men in economic decision-making 38 ANNEX B: List of contributors to the SADC Gender Table 21: Private sector and parastatal leadership in Protocol Score Card for Botswana 70 Botswana 39 Table 22: Informal sector businesses by industry and sex REFERENCES 71 of owner 40 Table 23: Women ownership of land 41 Table 24: Women and men in employment 41 Table 25: Employment levels of women and men across key occupations 42 Table 26: Conditions of employment 42 Table 27: Number of reported GBV cases between 2003 and 2007 44 Table 28: GBV response and support 45 Table 29: Key sexual, reproductive and health indicators 50 Table 30: Key Gender, HIV and AIDS indicators 51 Table 31: Review of care work policies 53 Table 32: Summary of key quantitative findings for Botswana media houses 60 Table 33: Summary of key findings 62 Table 34: National gender machinery and processes 67

2 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Acknowledgements

This report is a follow up of the regional baseline study for the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development being conducted by the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance. The report was compiled by Gender Links Botswana, Roos van Dorp, with assistance from Elsie Alexander, Imelda Molokomme and Tirelo Moroka. Gender Links would like to thank the Women's Affairs Department and all NGO's that contributed to the SADC Gender Protocol Score Card as listed in Annex B. Gender Links, which coordinates the work of the Alliance, edited the final report. The SADC 2010 Barometer study and this report have been funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID).

Chigedze Chinyepi of BOCONGO, the Alliance focal point in Botswana, at the launch of the 2009 Baseline Barometer in Gaborone, Botswana. Photo: Colleen Lowe Morna

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 3 Acronyms

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

BCP Botswana Congress Party

BDP Botswana Democratic Party

BNF Botswana National Front

BOCONGO Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women

CSO Central Statistics Office

FPTP First Past the Post

GFP Gender Focal Point

GMS Gender Management System

HIV Human Immuno Deficiency Virus

IEC Independent Electoral Commission

SADC Southern African Development Community

SARDC Southern African Research and Documentation Centre

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Fund

WAD Women's Affairs Department

WIDSAA Women in Development Southern Africa Awareness (SARDC)

4 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Executive summary

Synopsis In August 2008, heads of state of the Southern Gender and Development. Through the project, African Development Community (SADC) signed the Alliance hopes to identify and collect legal the Protocol on Gender and Development that and policy documents and interview strategic contains 28 targets for achieving gender equality role-players to generate the inaugural SADC by 2015. The Protocol, that brings together all Gender Barometer. existing regional and international commitments to gender equality but gives them specific targets Findings and time frames, is a key monitoring tool for Botswana scored 55% in the gender score card members of the Southern Africa Protocol Alliance compiled by different stakeholders working in that brings together some 40 NGOs from around the gender sector. In some areas, such as providing the region. HIV and AIDS treatment to all citizens and the securing of equal enrolment in schools for boys For the SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer, and girls, the country is performing very well. Gender Links Botswana collected data across the The scorecard clearly shows there are many areas articles included in the SADC Protocol on Gender of concern. In supporting women to access and and Development adopted during the August benefit from productive resources and 2008 Heads of States Summit held in employment and stimulate economic Johannesburg, South Africa. The focus areas of empowerment, the government is not the research are as follows: undertaking sufficient measures to secure this. This is mainly caused by Botswana's negative • Article 4-11 Constitutional and Legal Rights attitude towards affirmative action measures for • Article 14 Education and Training women. Also, concerning the prevention of • Article 15-19 Productive Resources and gender violence and treatment for survivors, Employment, Economic challenges prevail. Up-scaling of awareness Empowerment building efforts are required and there is the • Article 20-25 Gender-based Violence need for more inter-sectoral collaboration • Article 26 Health between the legal, medical social and • Article 27 HIV and AIDS psychological service providers to survivors of • Article 32 -36 Implementation gender violence.

Objectives: The last comprehensive review of discriminatory • To collect data on the key provisions of the laws in Botswana took place in 1998, SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. commissioned by the Ministry of Labour and • To use this accurate and updated data to Home Affairs, Women's Affairs Department. develop lobbying and advocacy tools targeting As most discriminatory laws were amended, national governments and regional bodies to it became clear from the study that the deliver on the Protocol commitments. major challenge lies with the customary law. • To use this research data to enable civil society For example, even though women formally to track the progress made by SADC member have equal right to property now, in practice, states towards achieving the set targets in the this is not always the case due to customary SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. laws traditions and other socio-economic barriers. The SADC Gender Protocol Barometer baseline study was undertaken in June and July 2009 and Women are underrepresented at the decision- coordinated by the Gender Links office in making level and there are no legislated quotas Gaborone. The research method was quantitative in place to increase women's participation. Few and contained the collection of statistical data political parties have voluntary quotas and they on the articles specified in the SADC Protocol on are not implementing them effectively.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 5 Botswana's electoral system, First Past the Post maintenance of men's economic and social control (FPTP), limits women's potential to access power. over women (Mookodi 2004). A study on the Little has been done to review the system to handling of GBV by the Botswana Police Service widen women's opportunity to participate in the concludes that police officers need more specific elections as candidates and decision makers. training in handling of GBV cases to secure a safe environment for survivors of gender-based In Botswana, school enrolment levels are high violence to report, as at the moment this is not but cultural and social influences still affect the always guaranteed. equal access for girls to education and therewith retention is the biggest challenge. Another In Botswana's mid-review of the National contributing factor is the HIV and AIDS pandemic, Development Plan 9, the fight against HIV and which forces increasingly more girls and women AIDS is addressed as the most critical issue. The to care for sick family members, compromising Botswana government is scaling up inputs into their attendance at school. Progression of females the health system which has been weakened by to tertiary and higher levels of education is also emerging health problems, and the impact of a concern as the nature of the education system HIV and AIDS. Botswana has made good progress is reputed to be gender-insensitive; the revised in providing universal access to treatment and national policy on education provides for gender care for men and women living with HIV and sensitivity in education but in practice it is not AIDS as ARV treatment is provided free to citizens. applied. Most girls still develop their careers in The graph highlights progress made with regards the traditional areas such as education, to women on prevention of mother to child humanities, social science, etc. transmission (PMTC) - Botswana fares well compared to other SADC countries. The In the national Policy on Women in Development government also provides for an orphan support (1995) and the National Strategy for Poverty programme and a community home-based care Reduction (2003), there is recognition that programme, but women and girls are burdened tackling poverty requires a focus on increasing with home-based care, which is limiting their women's access to formal employment as well ability to participate in productive activities. as other productive activities and opportunities. Currently there seems to be no drive to increase Over time women's unemployment has shared responsibility of care work with men. remained higher than men, and women More is required to address prevention of HIV dominate the informal sector, which is unstable and AIDS, including ensuring equal rights within and limits their chances of economic marriage, protection of women and girls from empowerment. The 2008 National Policy on violence and abuse, and promoting women's Gender and Development makes note of the fact rights in general. Although awareness of HIV that despite the positive changes in legislation, and AIDS is high, there is a challenge to engage women still have limited access to, and control traditional structures so that some negative over, productive resources. traditional and cultural beliefs that increase women's vulnerability to HIV and AIDS can be Gender-based violence is a serious threat to the eliminated. attainment of gender equality in Botswana. There were a reported 1596 cases of rape and attempted There is limited commitment to promote the rape in 2007, and 101 cases of murders of women female condom, or address the major social by intimate partners. Research shows that most drivers of HIV and AIDS, e.g., multiple and violence against women in Botswana is domestic; concurrent relationships, intergenerational the perpetrators are often partners, family relations and the sexual abuse of the girl child. members or close acquaintances. Most cases of Prevention strategies are to a large extent male- domestic violence revolve around the biased.

6 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Figure one: Percentage pregnant women living with HIV on PMTC

100 99 95 90 83 80 71 69 70 68 67 61 60 58 50 43 40 30 28

20 14 14

10 4 2 0

bique alawi DRC auritius Zambia babwe Angola M Lesotho M Tanzania Namibia Seychelles Botswana Swaziland Zim South Africa Mozam Madagascar

Botswana has not yet signed the protocol, having Botswana's gender management system reservations concerning the mandatory language comprises the Botswana National Council on of the protocol and the commitment to its Women in Development, the Women's Affairs timeframes. Despite ongoing lobbying activities Department (WAD) in the Ministry of Labour and by the gender sector in Botswana, there is no Home Affairs, Gender Focal Points in all ministries direct sign of intent to sign. The president of and District Gender Committees and Officers but Botswana, Ian Khama, has declared on several gender mainstreaming within government has occasions, however, that he will support women still to take root. Civil society organisations have in decision-making positions and is committed played an important role in driving the gender to achieving gender equality. agenda in Botswana.

Wearing the SADC Gender Protocol badge with pride in Botswana. Photo: Gender Links

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 7 Table one: SADC Gender Protocol Score Card for Botswana

SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE SCORE COMMENT ACHIEVED BY 2015 /10 ARTICLES 4 - 11: CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS Endeavour to enshrine gender equality 4 There is no specific mention of gender equality and and equity in their Constitutions and equity in the constitution of Botswana and this is not ensure that these are not compromised on the agenda. The Bill of rights protects equal rights by any provisions, laws or practices. - sec. 3 and 15 in the constitution protects the rights of women and men. Review, amend and or repeal all 6 Not all, the major challenge is customary law reform discriminatory laws. as it contradicts equality measures of the constitution. Abolish the minority status of women. 5 Yes according to modern law, but in Customary Law women are still minors; as common law excludes marriages under customary law. Registration of customary marriages is encouraged. ARTICLES 12-13 : GOVERNANCE (REPRESENTATION AND PARTICIPATION) Endeavour to ensure that 50% of 4 At policy level, the current government has no legal decision-making positions in all public instrument in place to support women in decision- and private sectors are held by women making positions and no affirmative action policy in including through the use of affir- place. mative action measures. There seem to be no endeavours undertaken to ensure that the target is reached. Botswana does not recognise affirmative action, including the ruling political party. In 2008, when the new president came to power, women were removed from cabinet and replaced by men. ARTICLE 14: EDUCATION AND TRAINING Enact laws that promote equal access 6 The revised national policy on education provides that to and retention in primary, secondary, equal access is in place, but it is not a law, and equity tertiary, vocational and non-formal is not as expected. In practice, retention is not always education in accordance with the secured due to the effect of socio-economic Protocol on Education and Training circumstances. There are support mechanisms in place and the Millennium Development for girls that drop out of school but they are limited Goals. and mostly provided by NGO's such as YWCA and BODOCOL. Adopt and implement gender sensitive 6 There is a gender & HIV and AIDS policy in the Ministry educational policies and programmes of Education, incorporating GVB and stereotypes, but addressing gender stereotypes in implementation should be accelerated. education and gender-based violence, amongst others. An aspect that requires urgent attention is the relations between teachers and students. Sexual abuse of school children by teachers is a growing and major issue of concern according to recent media reports. A programme should be in place to protect vulnerable children, such as the girl child and orphans. ARTICLES 15-19: PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Ensure equal participation by women 3 There are no measures or mechanisms to ensure equal and men in policy formulation and participation. implementation of economic policies. Conduct time use studies and adopt 2 There have been no records of any time use studies policy measures to ease the burden of taking place yet, but CSO and WAD are planning to the multiple roles played by women. start undertaking activities in this area. Adopt policies and enact laws which 2 The policy grants equal access, but does not take into ensure equal access, benefits and consideration the gender dimension and has no opportunities for women and men in affirmative action measures in place. trade and entrepreneurship, taking

8 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE SCORE COMMENT ACHIEVED BY 2015 /10 into account the contribution of women in the formal and informal sectors. Review national trade and entre- 2 No review has taken place and the trade policy is not preneurship policies, to make them gender responsive. As most women are working in gender responsive. the informal sector and macro-economic policy is not gender sensitive, is limiting women's access to resources and opportunities in the economy. With regard to the affirmative action 1 There are no affirmative action measures in place. provisions of Article 5, introduce measures to ensure that women benefit equally from economic opportunities, including those created through public procurement processes. Review all policies and laws that 5 Women lack the key to large productive resources, determine access to, control of, and such as land and equipment, and energy and benefit from, productive resources by technology. Although they are allowed to access and women. are not excluded from land ownership, they are hardly represented in the large resource sectors as land and industry. Even though women have equal access to land now, in practice this is still not guaranteed due to persistent cultural customs.

Another issue is the lack of access to credit and capital from commercial banks and government assistance programmes, such as CEDA, due to lack of security and collateral due to low income status. Review, amend and enact laws and 6 The employment act does not discriminate but has no policies that ensure women and men special dispensation for women and there are no have equal access to wage policies to ensure. Recently, the government introduced employment in all sectors of the employment laws to protect domestic workers, but economy. there are no mechanisms to enforce this. ARTICLES 20-25: GENDER BASED VIOLENCE Enact and enforce legislation 4 Laws to prevent GBV are enacted, such as the Domestic prohibiting all forms of gender-based Violence Act. There are difficulties in enforcement as violence. there are inadequate physical and financial resources to ensure the enforcement of such.

No implementation programmes and enforcement of these are in place. The new National Development Plan 10 does have a chapter on the Women's Affairs Department, including measures to prevent GBV. Responsibility for implementation of the Domestic Violence Act is not clear. In addition, law enforcement officers do not reflect gender-sensitivity and awareness of the pertinent issues. Ensure that laws on gender-based 3 A comprehensive, integrated approach to GBV is not violence provide for the compre- yet enforced. The Botswana Police Service attempts hensive testing, treatment and care of to provide support services, but protection, medical survivors of sexual assault. care and psychosocial treatment are still inadequate.

Comprehensive services for GBV need to be strengthened. There is still need to develop and test protocols for comprehensive care in existing health care and police settings.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 9 SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE SCORE COMMENT ACHIEVED BY 2015 /10 Only a few NGO's provide shelter, legal and counselling services. HIV testing only occurs when there is sexual violence, but there is no central office in place to take responsibility and ensure this treatment of the survivors. WAD is working on plans for a referral system to alter the disconnection in services available for survivors. Review and reform their criminal laws 5 Review of the Penal Code took place in 1998 and and procedures applicable to cases of focused on issues in relation to rape as well as sexual offences and gender based strengthening enforcement mechanisms and violence. sentencing provisions. The Children's Act has been reviewed and included stiffer sentences for sexual abuse of children. Enact and adopt specific legislative 2 There is no specific law against human trafficking and provisions to prevent human sex work is neither legalised nor de-criminalised, but trafficking and provide holistic services NGO's provide services and support to sex workers. to the victims, with the aim of re- integrating them into society. Enact legislative provisions, and adopt 4 It is recognised in the Public Service Act but very few and implement policies, strategies and ministries are making mention of this in their programmes which define and prohibit respective policies. In society there is no debate around sexual harassment in all spheres, and this issue or support to implement such policies. Some provide deterrent sanctions for institutions have incorporated sexual harassment perpetrators of sexual harassment. policies, such as the University of Botswana and the Bank of Botswana. Adopt integrated approaches, 4 There have been attempts for a National Action Plan including institutional cross sector (NAP) on GBV that recognises an integrated approach; structures, with the aim of reducing but it is not enforced, no mechanisms and networking current levels of gender-based violence structures are in place. Also efforts have been made by half by 2015. by NGO's and police task forces. The NAP is adopted but implementation has to be accelerated. ARTICLE 26: HEALTH Adopt and implement legislative 5 The health policy is silent on gender and is under frameworks, policies, programmes and review, but efforts are being made to mainstream services to enhance gender sensitive, gender and HIV in the policy. The sexual and appropriate and affordable quality reproductive health policy recognises gender. There is health care. a need to broaden the scope of this health policy. There are plans to strengthen mainstreaming gender in the health programmes. Reduce the maternal mortality ratio 4 Measures for reduction are slow. by 75%. Develop and implement policies and 5 Mental, sexual and reproductive health policy is in programmes to address the mental, place, but implementation is slow. There is urgent sexual and reproductive health needs need for provision of health care for women in of women and men. institutional settings like prisons etc. Ensure the provision of hygiene and 6 There are some services available for women in prisons sanitary facilities and nutritional needs through clinics. Not all groups are covered, such as of women, including women in prison. foreigners. ARTICLE 27: HIV AND AIDS Develop gender sensitive strategies to 5 To prevent new infections, Botswana has a National prevent new infections. Strategy Framework on HIV/AIDS, but achieving behavioural change seems to be the greatest challenge. The government is undertaking different campaigns to promote behavioural change, but their effectiveness has not yet been proven. Considering the rising new

10 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA SPECIFIC TARGETS TO BE SCORE COMMENT ACHIEVED BY 2015 /10 infections rate, the strategies should be reviewed to be more gender specific as well as gender sensitive. Ensure universal access to HIV and AIDS 7 There is equal and free access to treatment for all. But treatment for infected women, men, in remote villages services are limited. boys and girls. Develop and implement policies and 2 This is not ensured, women are over burdened with programmes to ensure the appropriate the care work and men are not participating adequately recognition, of the work carried out in this. There is a framework for Community Home by care givers, the majority of whom Based Care Centres, but these are run mainly by women are women; the allocation of resources and girls with insufficient facilities or resources. Care and psychological support for care- work is not recognised officially. The government givers as well as promote the provides an allowance of 150 pula for women who involvement of men in the care and volunteer for this work; but this is not sufficient making support of People Living with it difficult to look for other work to cover costs. HIV/AIDS. The national framework on HIV should be reviewed to make it more gender sensitive. The burden falls mainly on elderly women; few young people and men are involved. ARTICLE 28: PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION Put in place measures to ensure that 2 There are no measure is place to ensure participation. women have equal representation and Botswana has not yet signed or ratified the Protocol participation in key decision-making to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights positions in conflict resolution and or the Rights of Women in Africa, which provides for peace building processes, in accordance women's right to peace and protection of women in with UN Council Resolution 1325 on armed conflict. Women, Peace and Security. Women's participation in peace building and conflict resolution is not addressed in the 1995 Policy on Women in Development. These issues must be mainstreamed in Botswana's national gender programme with gender mainstreaming strategies at every level. ARTICLES 29 - 31: MEDIA, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION Take measures to promote the equal 3 Gender Links' 2009 Glass Ceiling Study on women's representation of women in ownership representation in media houses in Botswana found of, and decision-making structures of that there are more men than women in Botswana the media, in accordance with Article media houses: Men constitute 58% of employees in 12.1 that provides for equal media houses, 16% more than the 42% women representation of women in decision- employees. making positions by 2015. Women constitute under a quarter of the board of directors; women constitute 24% of those on boards of directors in media houses in Botswana, compared to 28% in the regional study. The gender division of labour in “beats” is still pronounced; Male journalists dominate in all the “hard” beats such as labour, economics/business/finance and science and technology. In Botswana women journalists predominate in religion, health, and entertainment/arts/culture.

Total = 113 / 280 x 100 = 40%

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 11 Country context

Country profile

Lobatse. The population of Gaborone is approximately 250,000 people (BEDIA 2008). The official languages of Botswana are English and Setswana.

Botswana is considered one of the most stable democracies in the SADC region, with a number of positive indicators of development in terms of people's ability to access basic rights, such as health and education services. The Botswana economy is heavily dependent on mining, and increasingly there is a focus on diversification of the economy, through tourism and other sectors. Diamonds are the main source of foreign exchange followed by beef, which is exported to the European Union. Diamonds constitute 50% of government revenue, 33% of Gross Domestic Product and 70% of foreign exchange (www.botswanadirect.co.bw). Botswana's macroeconomic policy is able to maintain a stable and manageable inflation and exchange rate in order to improve Botswana's competitiveness in Botswana is a landlocked country situated in international markets and contribute to the southern Africa, surrounded by South Africa in broader national objective of achieving diversified the south, Namibia in the west, Zambia in the and sustainable economic growth (BEDIA 2008). north and Zimbabwe in the northeast. The capital city is Gaborone and Botswana's surface covers The United Nations Human Development Report an area of 582,000 sq km. The 2005/06 Labour 2007/2008 ranks Botswana 124th in the world in Force Survey estimated the population of terms of the Human Development Index, Botswana at 1,702,829 people and this is growing measuring average achievement in three basic at the rate of 3.5% per annum. According to the dimensions of human development: a long and survey, the population is made of 46.9% male healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard and 53.1% female. The number of households of living. Botswana continues to rank above most are estimated at 515,294. The population is SADC countries in terms of this measure; however, heavily skewed towards the urban areas namely, it ranks lower than South Africa, Seychelles and Gaborone, Francistown, Selibi-Phikwe and Mauritius (BEDIA 2008).

12 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Constitutional and legal rights

Articles 4-11

Constitutional and affirmative action provisions The Protocol provides that by 2015, all countries shall endeavour to enshrine gender equality and equity in their Constitutions and ensure that these are not compromised by any provisions, laws or practices. State parties are to implement legislative and other measures that eliminate all practices which negatively affect the fundamental rights of women and men. They are also to introduce affirmative action measures.

The Botswana Constitution under section 3 There is no affirmative action in law. The guarantees equality before the law. opposition parties do promote affirmative action, Discrimination is prohibited in Section 15, and but this principle is not being implemented. subsection 3 specifically outlaws discrimination Affirmative action is not popular or generally on the basis of sex or gender. Section 15 of the accepted in Botswana. People believe it is Constitution was amended in 2005 by adding inconsistent with the equality principle and that the term “sex” to the list of descriptions that opportunities are available to all. For example, define the expression 'discriminatory'. However, the ruling BDP has always resisted quotas based even before the 2005 amendment of the on this argument. Constitution, the Court of Appeal decision of Attorney General v Dow 1992 BLR (119), was that the omission of the word “sex” from the Box 1: Practices that discriminate against definition of the expression “discriminatory” was women neither intentional nor made with the object of excluding sex-based discrimination. A general practice/rule is that women do not automatically become heirs to the estate of There is legislation that deals with matters of their deceased parent. The effect of this personal law and there is no discrimination on practice is to discriminate against women in the basis of gender or sex. For example, the inheritance matters and this contributes to Adoption of Children's Act (Cap. 28:01) does not their impoverishment. There are some discriminate on the basis of gender on who is campaigns undertaken by civil society eligible to adopt, and the Matrimonial Causes organisations aimed at eradicating civil Act (Cap. 29:06) provides that any of the parties society practices. to the marriage may bring an action of divorce.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 13 Provides for action affirmative NO n/a Addresses the issue of contradictions between the Constitution, provisions, laws and practices. NO n/a Has claw back clauses YES Section 15 (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9). (4) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that makes provision- (a) for the appropriation of public revenues or other public funds; (b) with respect to persons who are not citizens of Botswana; (c) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law; Copyright Government of Botswana (d) for the application in case of members of a particular race, community or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter whether to the exclusion of any law in respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons or not; (e) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any disability or restriction may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining those persons or to of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. (5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) this section to the extent that it makes reasonable provision with respect to qualifications for service as a public officer or as a member of disciplined force for the service of a local government authority or a body corporate established directly by any law. Has other provisions that relate to gender e.g. equality, bodily integrity NO n/a Provides for the promotion of gender equality NO n/a Table two: Analysis of Gender Equality Clauses in the Constitution Provides for non discrimination on the basis of sex and others e.g. marital status, pregnancy YES Section 15 (3) 15. Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc. (3) In this section, the expression "discriminatory" means affording different treatment to persons, different attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description. Provides for non discrimination based on sex specifically YES Section 3 3. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. Whereas every person in Botswana is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is the right, to say, whatever his or her race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest to each and all of the following, namely- (a) life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law; (b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; and (c) protection for the privacy of his or her home and Provides for non discrimination generally YES Section 15 (1) and (2) 15. Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (7) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect. (2) Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section, No person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions any public office or any public authority.

14 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA other property (6) Subsection (2) of this section shall not and from apply to anything which is expressly or deprivation of by necessary implication authorised to be property without done by any such provision of law as is compensation, referred to in subsection (4) or (5) of this the provisions of section. this Chapter shall (7) Nothing contained in or done under have effect for the the authority of any law shall be held to purpose of be inconsistent with or in contravention affording of this section to the extent that the law protection to in question makes provision whereby those rights and persons of any such description as is freedoms subject mentioned in subsection (3) of this section to such limitations may be subjected to any restriction on of that protection the rights and freedoms guaranteed by as are contained sections 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this in those Constitution, being such a restriction as provisions, being is authorised by section 9(2), 11(5), 12(2) limitations 13(2), or 14(3), as the case may be. designed to (8) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section ensure that the shall affect any discretion relating to enjoyment of the the institution, conduct or discontinuance said rights and of civil or criminal proceedings in any freedoms by any court that is vested in any person by or individual does under this Constitution or any other law. SADC GenderProtocol 2010Barometer•BOTSWANA not prejudice the (9) Nothing contained in or done under rights and the authority of any law shall be held to freedoms of be inconsistent with the provisions of this others or the section- public interest. (a) if that law was in force immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution and has continued in force at all times since the coming into operation of this Constitution; or (b) to the extent that the law repeals and re-enacts any provision which has been contained in any written law at all times since immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution. Source: Constitution of Botswana, 2009

The CEDAW Committee urged Botswana in their concluding observations on Botswana's CEDAW Report in March 2010 to repeal urgently and without delay section 15 (4) of the Constitution, in order to end violations of women's rights with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial and devolution

15 of property on death and other matters of personal law in line with articles 2 and 16 of the Convention (CEDAW 2010). Discriminatory legislation The SADC Protocol provides that by 2015 SADC countries shall have reviewed, amended or repealed all discriminatory laws and specifically abolish the minority status of women.

The last comprehensive review of discriminatory restrictions placed on women to work laws in Botswana took place in 1998, underground in mines. The amendment of the commissioned by the Ministry of Labour and Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act was to Home Affairs, Women's Affairs Department. The provide for the mandatory hearing of sexual report reviewed all statutes and subsidiary offences to be on camera. The Deeds Registry legislation affecting women and all relevant Act was amended in 1996 to allow women, United Nations Conventions and other documents whether married in community of property or concerning women, especially the Convention not, to execute deeds and other documents on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination required or permitted to be registered in the Against Women, with the view to assessing the deeds registry without their husband's consent extent to which the laws of Botswana comply (WAD 2009). with the United Nations standards. The Penal Code was amended to make the Botswana acceded to the Convention on the offence of rape gender neutral and introduced Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against minimum sentences of 10 years. Furthermore, Women (CEDAW) on 13th August 1996. The where the act of rape is accompanied by violence Convention provides the legal framework for resulting in injury to the victim, the minimum eliminating discrimination and promoting sentence is 15 years. It introduced mandatory equality on the basis of gender. Article 1 of the HIV testing for persons convicted on rape and in Convention defines “discrimination against the case of the convicted person being aware of women” as any distinction, exclusion or restriction their HIV status at the time of the offense, the made on the basis of sex which has the effect or minimum sentence is 20 years imprisonment with purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, corporal punishment. The challenge here is that enjoyment or exercise by women irrespective of the definition of rape excludes marital rape and marital status, on a basis of equality of men and the High Court has held that denial of bail to a women, of human rights and fundamental person accused of rape is unconstitutional (WAD freedoms in the political, economic, social, 2009). cultural, civil or any other field. The Article defines “discriminatory” along the same lines The Public Service Act was amended to recognise with the definition under section 15(3) of the sexual harassment as misconduct, which can Constitution (AG's Chambers 2009). attract penalties under the Public Service Act. This amendment does, however, not cover the Women's Affairs Department commissioned a private sector. In 2001, the Marriage Act was consultancy in July 1997. The terms of reference amended to provide that no person below the of the study were, inter alia, to review all statutes age of 18 years may marry and that no minor and subsidiary legislation affecting women and below the age of 21 years may marry without to review all relevant United Nations Conventions the consent of his parents or guardian. It also and other documents concerning women, provided for the registration of Customary, especially CEDAW, with the view to assessing the Muslim, Hindu and other religious marriages extent to which the laws of Botswana comply (WAD 2009). with the United Nations standards (AG's Chambers 2009). The Abolition of the Marital Power Act took place in 2004; it abolished the common law The Citizenship Act was amended in 1995 to principle of marital power and replaced it with allow Batswana women married to foreign equal powers of spouses married in community spouses to pass citizenship to their children. The of property to dispose of the assets of the joint amendment was based on the celebrated case estate. It made a spouse married out of of Unity Dow v Attorney General. The Mines and community of property jointly liable for Quarries Act was amended in 1996, by removing household necessaries and made provision for

16 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA joint acquisition of property by spouses married customary and religious marriages, as they are out of community of property. Also, it abolished being denied the protection afforded to women the common law principle of unity of matrimonial married under the civil law. The abolition of the domicile and allowed married women to acquire husband as the head of the family is a sensitive domicile of choice. The common law principle of issue, as it has been interpreted as going against domicile of dependency of minor children was the Christian values of the society (WAD 2009). replaced with a place the child is most connected with and the common law position of the Cohabitation husband as the sole guardian of minor children Both Common and Customary laws do not was abolished and replaced with joint accommodate for cohabitation of women and guardianship of both parents (WAD 2009). men, as it is assumed that disputes between partners that are not married cannot be heard The Abolition of Marital Power is not applicable in Customary Courts. The current laws also do to customary and religious marriages though, not protect the spouses or their children which is a concern for women married under (WNGOC/SARCD 2005).

Access to justice The Protocol provides for equality in accessing justice.

Table three: Access to Justice On a scale of 1-10 with 1 Access to justice provision very low and 10 very high Provide an explanation how would you score your country Equality of treatment of women 6 Formally there is no different treatment, in judicial and quasi-judicial but in practice this is not guaranteed. proceedings Poor women are marginalised in terms of treatment, services, lack of access to information and accessing legal representation. Equal contractual rights 7 In practice, customary law may limit this and also when one is not married in community of property. The right to acquire and hold rights 8 In principle women have the right to to property property, but in practice it is a challenge because of customary laws, traditions and other economic barriers. Encouraging women to exercise 6 Although women are encouraged, they their legal capacity have limited access to information and services and this limits them from exercising their legal capacity. Ensuring equality of women 5 Formally there is no different treatment, complainants in the criminal justice but in practice the police judiciary offices system make it difficult for women to access justice and maintenance. Equal representation in the courts, 2 There are few women in the formal including traditional courts and traditional court systems. Accessible and affordable legal 3 There is no government legal aid services for women available, only limited NGO and UB legal clinic services, which are in the urban areas.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 17 Marriage and family laws; widows and widowers; the girl and boy child The Protocol makes reference to the following specific legislative provisions: Marriage and family rights and the rights of widows; elderly women; the girl child; women with disabilities.

Marriage and family laws The key marriage and family laws in Botswana are: • Marriage Act • Married Persons Property Act • Matrimonial Causes Act • Abolition of Marital Power Act • Deserted wives and Children's Act

Equality in marriage has been enhanced by the Abolition of Marital Power Act (Cap.29:07), which has eliminated the restrictions which Local government gender workshop participants singing a wedding song during group exercises on stereotypes. the marital power Photo: Roos van Dorp principle placed on the legal capacity of a wife, her property and the Widow and widower rights common law position of the husband as head of Under Botswana's common law and statute law the family. The Act also provides that a woman either spouse can inherit from the other if a will may have a domicile of choice and does not tie is in place. However, the Succession (Rights of her domicile to that of her husband. The the Surviving Spouse and Inheritance Family challenge is that this Act does not apply to Provisions) Act (Cap. 31:03) amends the law of marriages under customary and religious law. intestate and declares the surviving spouse of a Laws such as the Deeds Registry Act and Married person who died intestate, an intestate heir and Persons Property Act protect property rights of guides on how that person may inherit. This Act both men and women in marriage. does not apply to estate of any person who dies either wholly or partly intestate and where the Botswana has neither signed nor ratified the rights of succession are determinable in Convention on the Rights of Persons with accordance with customary law. Where a spouse Disabilities (it came into force in April 2008). The dies without a will (intestate), and does not fall 1996 Policy on Women in Development has a within the confines of the Succession Act (Rights gap in that it does not address mainstreaming of the Surviving Spouse and Inheritance Family of gender and disability issues in policy and Provisions), customary law rules apply. practice. Disability and poverty are indirectly addressed under the Destitute Programme, where Considering that there are different tribes in a minimum assistance (food baskets) is provided Botswana, customary law rules of inheritance for destitute persons, but gender is not a are not uniform and may vary from one tribe to consideration in programme development and the other. Customary rules of inheritance in some delivery. instances are precarious and require

18 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA harmonisation so that the surviving spouse has hampered by the introduction of cost sharing full rights and is not vulnerable to being which limits access to education by children from disinherited. poor families. There are child-headed households as young as 12-14 years, and in this age category The girl and boy child there are twice as many males as female heads The Children's Bill, 2009, was published on of households. Child labour is being practiced in 9 January 2009. The Bill seeks to give effect to Botswana, with 6.9% of 7-13 year olds, and 12.5% Botswana's obligation under the United Nations of 14-17 year olds being employed in 2005/06. Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the Orphan care is under the Short Term Plan of child. The Bill reiterates the principle that the Action (STPA), which has been in existence since best interest of the child must be paramount. 1999. It caters for immediate needs, as well as The Bill prohibits various acts such as abduction, education and health services and psychological sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking of support. It requires strengthening to cater for children. the long-term needs of vulnerable children. Sexual abuse of girl children, particularly harassment in Child welfare is also a key policy intervention schools, is an urgent concern and requires strong area in Botswana. Access to education is being policy intervention.

Primary care-givers, Botswana. Photo: Gender Links

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 19 Table four: Marriage and family laws, the girl and boy child Provision Yes/No Explain Marriage No person under the age of 18 shall marry. Yes Every marriage takes place with the full consent of both parties. Yes Every marriage including civil, religious, traditional or customary Yes Except for customary marriages. is registered. Parties have reciprocal rights and duties towards their children Yes Except for customary marriages. including when spouses separate, divorce or have marriages annulled. Maintenance orders are enforced. Yes Enforcement mechanisms weak. Married women and men have the right to decide whether to Yes retain their nationality or acquire spouse's nationality. Widows and widowers Widows are not subjected to inhuman, humiliating or degrading No treatment. A widow automatically becomes guardian or custodian of her Yes children, unless otherwise determined by a court of law. A widow shall have the right to live in the matrimonial house Yes Unless married in community. after her husband's death. A widow shall have access to employment and other opportunities. No There is no right to employment for anyone in Botswana, but no discrimination. Widows shall have the right to an equitable share in the Yes Except under some customary inheritance of her husband's property. laws. Widows shall have the right to remarry any person of their choice. Yes Except under some customary laws. Widows shall be protected from all forms of violence and Yes Except under some customary discrimination. laws. Girl and boy child Eliminating all forms of discrimination against the girl child. Yes Except under some customary laws. Girls have the same rights as boys and are protected from harmful Yes Except under some customary cultural attitudes. laws. Girls are protected from all forms of economic exploitation, Yes There is no explicit provision trafficking, violence and sexual abuse. for girls. Girl children have access to information, education, services and Yes facilities on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

20 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Governance

Articles 12-13

The SADC Protocol provides that member states should endeavour to ensure that 50% of decision-making positions in all public and private sectors are held by women including through the use of affirmative action measures.

Women comprise 52.4% of the population of Few political parties have voluntary quotas and Botswana, and also constitute the majority of they are not implemented effectively. voters during elections; yet there are only 11% in parliament, and 19.4% represented as The electoral system, First Past the Post (FPTP), councillors. The private sector has a better track limits women's potential to access power. Little record of women in decision-making. has been done to review the system to widen women's opportunity to participate in the There is no legislated quota to increase women's elections as candidates and decision makers. participation in decision-making through the Extensive awareness-raising nationally and within electoral system and there is no public debate political parties is required for the voting public on this as quotas are very unpopular in Botswana. to vote for women.

Gender and political parties

Table five: Representation of Women and Men in the Executive Committee PARTY HEAD TREASURER SECRETARY FOURTH FIFTH SIXTH GENERAL TOP TOP TOP POSITION POSITION POSITION MF MF MFMF MF MF Ruling party BDP X X X X XX Main opposition BNF X X X XXX Source: BDP website and BNF Office, June 2010

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) The BDP is Botswana's ruling party. It does not to support women's empowerment in increasing have a quota for women, and is not supportive the gender representation of women in positions of affirmative action. The former chairperson of of power (Therisanyo, 2007b). Women of the the BDP women's wing, Tebelelo Seretse, argues BDP are encouraged to contest for offices of that quotas for women address the symptoms power in the party's structures, parliament and not the causes and therefore focus on initiatives local government (Gender Links, 2009).

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 21 The former chairperson of the BDP Women's representation by using his prerogative to appoint Wing, Botlogile Tshireletso, has stated that the three women to the four available slots party is making measured progress as it leads in (Therisanyo, 2007b and Gender Links, 2009). women empowerment initiatives. Women Unfortunately, these efforts do not seem to have constituted 21% in the 2005-2007 central an ongoing effect on the long term as after the committee (Therisanyo, 2006). She also 2009 elections only two BDP women were elected emphasises that “gender equity should not be and two women were specially elected into made an urban area talk shop, far removed from cabinet. the realities facing women in rural areas and that the spirit of self esteem should be inculcated Botswana National Front (BNF) in the girl chid as real empowerment is mental” The BNF is the main opposition party in the (Therisanyo, 2007a). Seretse stresses that the country, which is doing well in the urban areas. BDP's women's wing intends to “inculcate that Its constitution states that 30% of the members women can do anything they aspire at a tender of the Central Committee shall be women, which age and not let cultural stereotypes shackle them, is an important indicator of commitment towards so that they may replace those who will be achieving gender equality within the party. retiring from politics” (Therisanyo, 2007a and However, the party has not always translated this Gender Links, 2009). commitment into fielding women candidates in safe seats. Currently, there is only one woman in Although the party is not supportive of quotas, the BNF's Executive Committee (Gender Links the BDP government can take credit for several 2009). actions undertaken for the empowerment of women at the national level. In 2004, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) government spent P5 million on gender The BCP is the second most popular opposition sensitisation workshops; P6 million on financial party after the BNF. It was formed as a faction assistance to NGO, CBOs and Women's Groups from the BNF and recently merged with BAM. and more than 90% of requests on gender The BCP is the fastest growing opposition party training had been honoured (BDP, 2004). The in the country (Gender Links, 2009). On issues of former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, gender equality, the BCP is committed to “the showed his commitment to increasing women's renaissance of women's roles in social, economic, cultural and political arenas through strengthening legal instruments to protect women by the abolition of customary and modern laws that discriminate against women” (BCP, 1999). According to the party's constitution, 30% of the governing body of the party, the Central Committee, shall be women and the party has lived up to this quote as after the recent elections 30% of the current central executive has 30% women members. Women's Wings A critical review of the 2004 elections was undertaken by the BCWP and the Women's NGO Coalition, which found that very few

Voting in Botswana in the October 2009 elections. Photo: Gender Links women hold positions in

22 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA mainstream political structures. It appeared that with the aim to create a more conducive even though women's wings were in place to environment for women to be able to compete facilitate the participation of women, they equally with their male counterparts remained marginalised. They mainly served to (WNGOC/SARDC 2005). Considering the fact that facilitate for the party needs in the areas of only few women made it through the primary fundraising, choir development and other elections in 2009, the Women's Wings still have campaigning activities. To address these a lot of efforts to undertake to support the challenges for the participation of women within participation and election of women in their the key political party structures, the Botswana political parties. Caucus on Women in Politics was established,

Table six: Gender in Political Party Manifestos for 2009 Elections

QUOTA WOMEN PARTY AND GENDER MAINSTREAMED IN MANIFESTOS NATURE/ SPECIFIC NO. PROJECTS BDP No - The BDP makes mention of Gender Equity in its manifesto under the chapter of “Achievements Since 2004”. It states the following 4 achievements:

• Eliminated all forms of discrimination against women by amending laws such as the marital power in common law marriages in order to achieve gender equity. • Women have since been admitted into the ranks of the Botswana Defence Force. • The BDP continues to promote the entry into high positions in the public and private sectors by women. • Empowerment for the girl child through continued education and mentoring programmes has raised the girl child attendance in school and had a positive impact on reducing teenage pregnancy.

In the section on the 'BDPs promises for 2009 and beyond', there is no mention of gender of women empowerment. BNF - In its 2009 manifesto, BNF states that equality is an expression of equal worth of all people and calls for equality between men and women. The BNF is opposed to an order of things whereby rights, obligations and tasks are allocated according to sex. The manifesto states that the BNF wishes to achieve gender equality and that men and women must have equal rights, obligations and opportunities. Furthermore, the belief is expressed that men should be equally involved in the care of children and the home, and that women should be free to participate in political and trade union activities and other national issues. The BNF promises to apply the principle of affirmative action to put women in positions of leadership and responsibility within the shortest time possible under the circumstances. BCP/ - In the 2009 manifesto BCP/BAM promises under the section of “Uplifting BAM the disempowered” to: • promote gender equality by strengthening legal instruments to protect women. • facilitate economic participation of women. • strengthen health services for women. • make education and training more accessible for women. • promote political participation of women. • work towards the establishment of an anti-sexist society. Source: BDP, BNF and BCP/BAM Party Manifestos 2009

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 23 Gender in electoral processes including youth, women and people living with Botswana is a multi-party democracy. Since disabilities (IEC 2009). independence, Botswana has been using the first- past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system for both Representation of women parliamentary and local government elections. Botswana is signatory to a number of regional The president is the head of state and is and international gender instruments that indirectly elected. The president of the party with provide the basis for the increased or equal a majority of elected members in parliament representation and participation of women in assumes the office. This system has seen to it that decision-making positions. Amongst the the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) remained significant instruments are the 2005 Protocol to the ruling party ever since independence (Gender the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights Links, 2009). on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination As has been observed elsewhere, FPTP does not against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for allow for diverse representation of the population Action (BPFA) and the International Covenant and therefore hampers the gender equality on Civil and Political Rights (Gender Links, 2009). campaign. The general elections in Botswana are held every five years with the members of In the 2004 elections only four women out of 57 parliament and councillors directly elected. Since constituencies were elected, and the President independence, the elections have been freely nominated three more women as specially elected and fairly contested. In fact, this is one key factor members of parliament (Dube, 2005). It has been that has led to Botswana being described as the noted that the special nomination of women “shining example of democracy” (Gender Links, into parliament is not adequate since only women 2009). from the ruling party are elected neglecting women from the opposition parties (Madisa, As the opposition parties remain divided and 1999). Local government is no exception with unable to gain a majority, this is weakening the regard to the underrepresentation of women. voice of the opposition thereby compromising In 1999 there was a mere 15% representation of the democracy of the country. Weak opposition women in local government (Molokomme, 1999). in the country is also due to party factionalism (Gender Links 2009). Party factionalism is not a new phenomenon in Botswana. In 1966, the BPP split to form the BNF and the BNF itself has undergone factionalism to form at least seven different parties (Gender Links, 2009 and www.aceproject.org).

Governance and elections Elections in Botswana are a responsibility of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC, 2005). The IEC was established in 1997 to manage the electoral process and to provide civic and voter education with the aim of increasing participation and voter turnout during elections. The IEC faces a great challenge of voter apathy among Batswana in its endeavour to increase people's participation in the electoral process. The IEC has identified cultural, historical, social and political problems as the causes of voter apathy. The youth have been identified as the most apathetic section of the Botswana society (IEC, 2002). In response to this finding and building up to the 2009 elections, the IEC undertook various activities to educate and sensitise the electorate on the Dr. Athaliah Molokomme, Attorney General of Botswana. importance of voting focusing on different groups Photo: Gender Links

24 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA During the 2009 elections, 76.71% of the 723,000 The Constitution of Botswana does not have a registered voters in Botswana turned out to vote. provision for a quota to increase women's According to SADC the elections were "credible, representation. However, some parties such as peaceful, free and fair" and were won by the the Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana ruling BDP. Only two women were elected directly Congress Party (BCP) voluntarily include the into parliament. On 20 October 2009, President minimum 30% quota in either their constitutions Ian Khama was sworn in for a second term. He or election manifestos. The BDP does not have has specially appointed four more members of a quota to increase women's representation, but parliament, of which two are women. This brings women are encouraged to contest for office in the total representation of women to a meagre the party's structures, parliament and local four, as opposed to 58 men. On a more positive government. The table below highlights this note, on 21 October 2009, Margaret Nasha was point and Botswana fares poorly compared with elected as the new Speaker of the National other SADC countries with regards to female Assembly, becoming the first woman to assume representation in parliament. this post in Botswana.

% Women Figure two: Proportion of women and men in SADC parliaments % Men 100% 90 92 92 90% 85 81 82 80% 77 77 78 79 73 70% 69 61 61 60% 57 50% 43 40% 39 39 31 30% 27 23 23 22 21 19 18 20% 15 10 10% 8 8 0% DRC Angola Namibia Lesotho Malawi Zambia Tanzania Seychelles Swaziland Mauritius Zimbabwe Botswana South Africa Mozambique Madagascar

Source: Gender Links, using data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union website.

Table seven shows where SADC countries rank globally and relative to each other against the 180 countries cited on the website of the Inter Parliamentary Union. At position three (after Uganda and Sweden) South Africa does the region proud. At 114, Botswana ranks among the lowest of the SADC countries. Madagascar is not ranked due to current political uncertainties.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 25 Table seven: Global and regional ranking of women parliamentarians

Country % Women in lower Global rank SADC rank or single house 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 South Africa 44.5% 44.5% 3 3 1 1 Mozambique 34.8 39.2% 15 9 3 2 Angola 37.3 38.6% 9 10 2 3 Tanzania 30.4 30.7% 23 23 4 4 Namibia 26.9 % 26.9 % 21 32 5 5 Lesotho 25 24.2% 28 40 6 6 Seychelles 23.5% 23.5 41 43 7 7 Malawi 20.5% 21.2 52 54 8 8 Mauritius 17.1 % 18.8 66 72 9 9 Zambia 16% 15.2 77 79 10 10 Zimbabwe 15.2% 15.0 78 80 11 11 Swaziland 13.8% 13.6 83 87 12 12 Botswana 11.1% 7.9 95 114 13 13 DRC 8.4% 7.7% 108 110 14 14 Source: www.ipu.org, accessed 16 July 2010.

% Women Figure three: Proportion of women and men in local government % Men 100% 93 94 94 90% 81 81 82 80% 76 70% 64 66 60 60% 58 58 50% 42 42 40 36 40% 34

30% 24 20% 19 19 18 10% 7 6 6 0%

Lesotho Namibia Zambia Tanzania Regional Botswana Zimbabwe Swaziland Mauritius South Africa Mozambique Average Madagascar

Figure three shows that local government in the case of Lesotho is higher. Five countries scores higher than national but with wider (Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique variations: At 24% the average representation and Zambia) have achieved 30% or higher with of women at the local level is higher than at regard to women in local government. Botswana national level. However, the range, from 6% in is doing meagerly with only 19% women. the case of Mauritius and Madagascar to 58%

26 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA % Women Figure four: Proportion of women and men in cabinet % Men 100% 88 90% 85 87 82 83 78 79 80 80% 76 70% 68 68 60% 59 50% 41 40% 32 32 30% 24 22 21 20 18 20% 17 15 13 12 10% 0%

Lesotho Namibia Zambia Swaziland Regional Botswana Tanzania Zimbabwe Mauritius South Africa Mozambique Average Madagascar

Source: Gender Links and IPU (www.ipu.org). Last accessed 16 July 2010.

Figure four shows that women's representation bringing women into leadership, especially in in cabinet has grown fast, but not fast enough. the smaller countries. There have, for example, Cabinet is the one sphere of decision-making in been marked increases in the representation of which it is theoretically relatively easy to “ring women in the cabinets of Namibia and Lesotho, up the changes” since leaders have the leeway even though these do not translate into big to appoint their inner team. The average numbers in absolute terms, given the small size representation of women in cabinet in the region of the cabinets. However, the fact that women's has increased from 12 % in 1997 to 22% in July representation in cabinet is still lower than 2010. Some Heads of State have shown a parliament of local government is a source of willingness to use cabinet appointments for concern.

Gender and voters

Table eight: Women and men registered to vote 2004 elections 2009 elections Women Men Total % Women Women Men Total % Women 311265 239148 550413 57% 404283 321534 725817 56% Source: IEC, 2008 and 2009.

In the 2009 General Elections 725,817 voters women than men voted. This premise is deduced registered for elections. Out of this figure 404,283 from the fact that more than half of the registered voters were women. It is assumed that registered voters were women. out of the 555,308 who cast their vote, more

Election outcomes

Table nine: Candidates Fielded at National Level

PARTY 1999 2004 2009 M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W BDP 34 6 40 15 50 7 57 12 54 3 57 5 BNF 38 4 42 9 48 BCP 35 3 38 8 48 2 50 4 38 4 42 9 TOTAL 136 13 149 9 147 Source: BDP, BNF, BCP Office, Gender Links 2009.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 27 Table ten: Candidates fielded at local level

PARTY 1999 2004 2009 M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W BDP 409 490 BNF 292 56 348 16 BCP 287 11 298 4 TOTAL n/a Source: BDP, BNF, BCP Office 2009.

Table 11: Election results national

PARTY 1999 2004 2009 M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W BDP 28 63418 38 7 45 16 41 4 45 9 BNF 6 12 6 0 6 0 BCP 1 1 4 0 4 0 TOTAL 41 58 51 4 55 9 Source: BDP Office 2009, IEC Election Reports 1999 and 2004.

Table 12: Election results local

PARTY 1999 2004 2009 M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W M F TOTAL %W BDP 303 335 BNF 80 105 BCP 13 32 TOTAL 396 472 487 117 604 19 Source: IEC Election Report 1999 and 2004, BALA 2009.

Table 13: Women in parliament and cabinet Female Total % of women % of parliamen- parliamen- parliamen- Female Total women tarians tarians tarians ministers ministers ministers 1992 3 44 7 3 20 15 1197 4 44 9 3 20 15 2002 8 44 18 6 22 27 2004 4 57 7 4 20 20 2009 4 58 6,8 3 20 15 Source: BIDPA (2008) and Gender Links (2010).

After the 2009 elections, the number of women's the primary elections won as parliamentary representation in parliament as well as in cabinet candidates. In the case of the opposition has decreased. This was according to prognosis Botswana Congress Party (BCP), four women had as the number of women who were elected been nominated as parliamentary candidates. during the primary elections had decreased too. No special measures were put into place to secure For the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), more female representation. A motion in three women out of the 66 women that contested parliament was proposed to increase the number

28 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA of specially elected members of parliament from women. This means that from the 117 women four to eight in an attempt to enhance councillors, 53 were specially nominated and 64 representation in parliament, but this motion were directly elected. Currently, Botswana has was rejected. two female mayors, in the Gaborone City Council and Lobatse City Council respectively. South East Table 14: Women in local councils district has the only female chairperson of a council in the country and North East district the M F TOTAL %W COUNCIL only female deputy chairperson. Gaborone 24 11 35 31% Francistown 19 3 22 14% Selibe-Phikwe 12 4 16 25% Table 15: Civil service decision-makers Jwaneng 6 3 9 33% Grade No. of No. of Total % % men Lobatse 7 6 13 46% women men women Sowa 5 2 8 25% D1 173 250 423 41% 59% North West 44 4 48 8% E2 88 133 221 40% 60% North East 17 6 23 26% E1 27 61 88 31% 69% South East 18 7 25 28% F2 19 56 78 24% 72% Southern 51 15 64 23% F1 11 25 36 31% 69% Kgatleng 24 2 26 8% F0 5 23 28 18% 82% Kweneng 67 15 82 18% Total 323 548 874 37% 63% Central 148 26 174 15% Source: WAD, 2008. Gantsi 18 6 24 25% Kgalagadi 20 6 26 23% Chobe 8 1 9 11% The public service TOTAL 488 117 604 19% Source: BALA 2009. Table 15 shows that women constitute 37% of the public servants in Botswana. Interestingly, After the 2009 elections, 114 specially-nominated the highest proportion of women (41%) is at the councillors were approved, of which 53 were highest D1 level.

Marching for equal representation at a workshop before the 2004 elections. Photo: Colleen Lowe Morna

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 29 Participation The Protocol provides that state parties shall ensure the equal participation of women and men in decision-making by putting in place policies, strategies and programmes covering the various aspects in the table below:

Table 16: Enhancing Participation of Women in Public Life On a scale of 1-10 with 1 Measure of participation very low and 10 very high Explanation how would you score your country Leadership and gender sensitivity 6 Extensive gender sensitive training has training or mentorship. been facilitated by civil society supported by donors. Support structures for women in 2 There are no such structures in place. decision-making. Establishment and strengthening 5 Gender vocal points established in of structures to enhance gender different ministries. mainstreaming. Changing discriminatory attitudes 6 Attempts are made, but are not sufficient. and norms of structures and procedures. Inclusion of men in gender related 5 Attempts are made, but are not sufficient. activities including community mobilisation.

30 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Education and training

Article 14

Enrolment and retention The Protocol provides that state parties shall enact laws that promote equal access to and retention in primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational and non-formal education.

In Botswana, school enrolment levels are high compromising their attendance at school (WAD and the enrolment of girls matches or exceeds 2002). that of boys at all levels, except vocational training. There is a policy of cost sharing where Progression of females to tertiary and higher parents pay 5% of the cost to government, which levels of education remains a challenge as the may prohibit attendance, particularly from poor nature of the education system is cited as gender families. Cultural and social influences however insensitive. This leads to lower levels of still affect the equal access for girls to education achievement in the higher levels of education and therewith retention is the biggest challenge. by women (WAD 2002). The figure below reflects Another contributing factor here is the HIV and that even though secondary education enrolment AIDS pandemic, which forces increasingly more is low for girls in Botswana, compared to the girls and women to care for sick family members, SADC region, Botswana is still above average.

Figure five: Percentage of learners in secondary education % Female % Male

70% 64

60% 56 55 54 55 56 56 56 56 52 52 51 52 52 48 48 49 50 50 48 48 50% 45 46 44 45 44 44 44 44 40% 36 30% 20% 10% 0%

DRC Zambia Angola Malawi Lesotho Namibia Botswana Mauritius Swaziland Zimbabwe Tanzania South Africa Seychelles Madagascar Mozambique

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 31 The main policy that guides the education sector tation, monitoring and evaluation need to be is the Revised National Policy on Education (1994) accelerated. Also, the Diphalana Continuing that acknowledges the gender gaps and Education Project was designed to enable challenges in the education system. It further pregnant girls to continue their education. recognises special education needs and the unique circumstances and concerns of out-of- The Ministry of Education also has an Equal school youth. However, the differences in the Opportunities Policy which aims at ensuring the levels of vulnerability of girl and boy children promotion of equality of opportunity for all who are out of school and those with special learners and students stakeholders of the ministry. needs are not highlighted. The policy explicitly states that no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of their There is a pregnancy policy in place to reintegrate race, religion, social status, sex, marital status young girls who fall victim to teenage pregnancy and location. A Life-Skills Programme is back into the education system. The existence of implemented in schools through the Guidance this policy is evidence of the Ministry of and Counselling Programme which includes Education's commitment to addressing the gender and aims to contribute to the fight against vulnerability of girl-children but its implemen- HIV and AIDS.

Table 17: Access and enrolment in education sector 2006 Type of data Boys/men Girls/ Total % women/ % men/ women girls boys Literacy rate 2003 79,8% 81,87% 80,93% - - Literate population age 12-70 433674 526892 960566 55 45 years 2003 Enrolment Primary School 168152 162265 330417 49,1 50,9 Secondary School 78864 85337 164201 52 48 Tertiary level 7601 8638 16239 53 47 Vocational and technical training 7698 5003 12701 39,4 60,6 Drop out Primary School 3941 Secondary School 3320 Tertiary level - Vocational and technical training -

Source: CSO 2003 / 2006.

It can be concluded from the data that enrolment is high for girls, but no gender disaggregated data were found available for the dropout rates. The CSO Education Statistics report mentions, though, that most of the dropouts are caused by desertion (81.9% at primary level and 52% at secondary level). At secondary school, the dropout rate caused by pregnancy is 31.7% (1054 cases), which indicates that a large percentage of the female students are having unprotected sex. A significant concern is the fact that at primary level, there were 115 reported cases (2.9%) of girls dropping out due to pregnancy. The report notes that in 2006 at primary level, 81.9% of the pupils who dropped out re-entered the school

Pre-primary education: a stable foundation? Photo: Gender Links system (CSO 2006).

32 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Regional statistics

Figure six: Proportion of girls and boys in primary school % Girls % Boys 70%

60% 54 55 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 52 53 49 49 49 50 50 50 50 49 49 49 49 49 48 50% 47 46 45 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

DRC Lesotho Namibia Malawi Zambia Angola Seychelles Tanzania Botswana Mauritius Swaziland Madagascar South Africa Mozambique

Gender parity in primary schools has been schools. The widest gaps are in Angola and achieved in most but not all countries; in DRC, where girl learners still comprise 46% and most SADC countries there are now a roughly 45% respectively of primary school-goers in equal number of boys and girls at primary classrooms.

% Girls Figure seven: Proportion of girls and boys in secondary school % Boys

70% 64

60% 56 55 54 55 56 56 56 56 52 52 51 52 52 48 48 49 50 50 48 48 50% 45 46 44 45 44 44 44 44 40% 36 30% 20% 10% 0%

DRC Zambia Angola Malawi Lesotho Namibia Botswana Mauritius Swaziland Zimbabwe Tanzania South Africa Seychelles Madagascar Mozambique

The gender gap at secondary level is narrowing; proportion of girls than boys in secondary school SADC countries differ from their counterparts in (56%) as a result of boys herding cattle. South the rest of Africa in that the gender gap at Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Seychelles and secondary school level is rapidly narrowing. Swaziland have slightly more girls than boys, Indeed, Lesotho has a considerably higher which is consistent with demographics.

Figure eight: Proportion of women and men in tertiary education % Female % Male

80% 74 70% 68 60 61 62 60% 57 56 56 54 53 53 53 47 50 50 49 51 50% 46 47 47 43 44 44 40 39 40% 38 32 30% 26 20% 10% 0%

DRC Namibia Zambia Lesotho Angola Malawi Seychelles Mauritius Botswana Swaziland Tanzania South Africa Madagascar Mozambique

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 33 Figure eight shows that there are higher percentage of women comprising those attending proportions of women at tertiary education in in tertiary institutions in DRC (26%), Tanzania five SADC countries. In almost half of SADC, (32%), Mozambique (38%), Malawi (39%), and tertiary institutions have equal numbers or more Angola (40%) show there are still worrisome women, than men. Seychelles, Namibia, trends in the region. This is especially important Mauritius, South Africa and Botswana have higher given that university education is the likely path proportions of women than men at tertiary level. to leadership positions, whether in business, However, the large gender gaps and low governance, media or any other sector.

Figure nine: Literacy levels of women and men % Female % Male 100% 93 94 91 90% 88 87 89 87 89 90 85 84 83 83 83 81 80 81 79 81 80% 78 77 78

70% 65 65 62 61 59 57 60% 54 50% 40% 33 30% 20% 10% 0%

DRC Namibia Lesotho Malawi Zambia Angola Seychelles Zimbabwe Mauritius Botswana Swaziland Tanzania South Africa Madagascar Mozambique

Figure nine above shows lower literacy levels for are literate compared to 57% of men. Likewise, women in all SADC countries except Seychelles. DRC, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, and Although not specifically referred to in the Madagascar all have significant gender Protocol, basic literacy is a core issue. With the literacy gaps. The chart below reflects literacy exception of Seychelles, women in Southern rates in SADC countries, organised in descending Africa have lower literacy levels than men. In order of literacy rates for women. In Botswana some cases, the gap is very worrying, for the literacy rate is 83% for both men and example in Mozambique, only 33% of women women.

Figure ten: Proportion of women and men teachers % Women % Men 100% 90% 80 81 80% 69 70 70% 65 65 62 63 57 60% 55 52 53 51 51 49 50% 49 48 47 43 45 38 40% 35 37 35 31 30 30% 20 19 20% 10% 0% i ibia bia alaw bique DRC auritius Nam Lesotho babwe Zam M Angola M Seychelles Tanzania Zim Botswana adagascar South Africa Mozam M

34 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA While data on school principals is incomplete, The 2008 Education statistics do not specify the that on the proportion of male and female reasons, but the 2006 statistics report shows teachers is comprehensive. The graph shows huge clearly that at the secondary level, one of the variations in the proportion of women and men main reasons for girls dropping out is pregnancy. teachers in the various countries. Seychelles, Overall, desertion is the main reason for dropping Mauritius, Namibia and Lesotho all have out at primary level, and remains to contribute substantially more women than men in the mostly to the dropout rate at secondary level. teaching service. In South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia the proportion of women and men is close to parity. There are substantially more men Table 18: Pass rates than women in the teaching services of Botswana, % boys/men % girls/women Malawi, Madagascar, Angola and the DRC. Primary 65 35 Performance in Botswana Secondary 36 64 University - - The difference between the dropout rates for Vocational - - boys and girls at the different levels is significant. Source: CSO, 2008.

Challenging stereotypes The Protocol requires that by 2015 state parties adopt and implement gender-sensitive educational policies and programmes addressing gender stereotypes in education and gender-based violence.

The challenges to include gender stereotyping with the objective of breaking gender stereotypes in education curricula/materials remains high. and empowering girl-children with life-skills. The Guidance and Counselling Primary and Secondary Curriculum Guidelines acknowledge Table 19: Women and men at the University of Botswana gender throughout. The Mission Statement of the Guidance and Counselling Division of the No. of No. of Total % % men Faculty women men women Department of Curriculum Development and Humanities 1982 1129 3108 64 36 Evaluation has a gender perspective as reflected in the statement that guidance and counselling Science 480 1245 1725 28 72 services will be provided to all pupils/students Business 1138 803 1941 59 41 regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, Social Sciences 1493 1043 2536 59 41 economic status, religion and life orientation. Health Sciences 193 161 354 55 45 However, the mechanisms for monitoring and Source: CSO, 2006. evaluating are silent on gender-disaggregated data. At the University of Botswana it is only in the Faculty of Science that women are The Guidance and Counselling Division of the underrepresented. Research shows that prevailing Ministry of Education engaged with the University perceptions on traditionally “male” jobs, such as of Botswana for the development of video and engineering, are persistent. The National career booklets to encourage girls into science- Development Plan 9 does not recognise a gender based careers. These are distributed to secondary dimension in its educational section and more schools and female role models are used in the should be done to break through the stereotyping booklets and video. Also, a Girls Education of boys and girls in traditional roles and choice Movement (GEM) has been initiated with UNICEF of career.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 35 Box two: Gender stereotypes in vocational education and training

An opinion study done by FINACCO in 2003 amongst male and female instructors at training institutions showed that some of the responses by the instructors were still in line with the traditional stereotypes of girls not being able to do “a man's job”. Some of the responses included: • “There are biological limits to what girls can and cannot do” • “The girls do not like courses like building and carpentry because they make them dirty, and they are heavy and physically demanding. They like white collar jobs and not blue collar jobs and working outside in the rain” • “Engineers are supposed to be men” • “Boys do not want to do typist, secretarial courses because they say they are for girls. It is natural for girls to do these typist, secretarial courses or jobs”

The research found that most educational material work with the “he”-form and use a gender biased vocabulary, for example the use of terms like manpower and foreman when physique is required (FINACCO 2003).

The Department of Vocational Education and scourge. G-BEM advocates for a child-friendly, Training Code of Practice states that the gender-sensitive rights-based environment for department is committed to promoting equality children in- and out-of-school. This initiative is a of opportunity for all its students, staff and collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education, community in all aspects of institutional and the Women's Affairs Division, UNICEF and the professional life, to ensure that no one is Girl/Boy Child Network, a conglomerate of civil discriminated against on the grounds of race, society organisations concerned with issues of ethnic origin, religion, gender, marital status, the girl and boy child (UNICEF 2005). disability, age or social position. No specific studies have been undertaken to Gender violence in Schools investigate the extent of gender-based violence Physical abuse of children by teachers is occurring in schools, so this would be highly recommended. on far too wide a scale and at all levels. Corporal Sexual violence and harassment in schools is a punishment is utilised in an attempt to improve critical area to undertake action as it limits girls' achievement not only to punish bad behaviour. potential to achieve the highest possible level of This includes male teachers hitting female education. students. This is not in line with a nation that aspires to be “compassionate, just and caring” and “moral and tolerant” as declared in Vision 2016. Bullying of girls by boys is a common phenomenon in schools and sexual abuse of girl children by teachers and other civil servants is extensive.

In 2005, the Botswana Girl/Boy Education Movement (G-BEM) was formally launched to coincide with the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. G-BEM believes that issues of gender violence manifest themselves right from early childhood, so therefore joined the

Botswana society in fighting this Botswana school girls. Photo: Gender Links

36 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Productive resources and employment, economic empowerment

Articles 15-19

Women and men in economic decision-making The Protocol provides that state parties shall, by 2015, ensure equal participation by women and men in policy formulation and implementation of economic policies.

In the national Policy on Women in Development (1995) and the National Strategy for Poverty Reduction (2003), there is recognition that tackling poverty requires a focus on increasing women's access to formal employment as well as other productive activities and opportunities.

Over time women's unemployment has remained higher than men and women dominate the informal sector, which is unstable and limits their chances of economic empowerment.

Women are overburdened due to their multiple roles and most of their work is undervalued as well as unpaid. This lessens their opportunities to engage in productive activities. The Botswana government has no policy to mainstream gender into the budget process; resources are allocated to the Women's Affairs Department (WAD) for special programmes targeted at women's empowerment, but this is inadequate. Unemployment leads to poverty. Photo: Gender Links

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 37 Table 20: Women and men in economic decision-making

Name MALE FEMALE Minister of Finance and Hon. Kenneth O. Matambo X Development Planning Assistant Minister of Finance and Hon. Charles Mbiganyi Tibone X Development Planning Permanent secretary/DG S. Tumelo X Minister Of Labour and Home Hon. P. L. Siele X Affairs Permanent secretary S. N. Tsiane X Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. G. Makgatho-Malesu X Assistant Minister of Trade and Hon. M. Motowane X Industry Permanent secretary/DG B.K. Molosiwa X Governor of the central or reserve L.K. Mohohlo X bank Deputy governor of the reserve O.A. Motshidisi X bank Botswana Export Development and J. Nkate X Investment Authority (BEDIA) CEO TOTAL 11 8 3 PERCENTAGE 100% 70% 30%

There are no affirmative action policies in place there are some positive examples where women to equally involve more women in the economic hold positions, such as the Attorney-General and decision-making sector. In the public sector these the Governor of the Bank of Botswana. positions are still mostly occupied by men, but

Figure 11: Proportion of women and men in economic-decision making by country % Women % Men 100%

90% 84 86 82 79 79 80% 75 75 76 77 77 77 70% 69 60 60% 56 50% 44 40 40% 31 30% 25 25 24 23 23 23 21 21 18 20% 16 14 10% 0 0%

DRC Namibia Angola Zambia Lesotho Malawi Botswana SwazilandSeychelles Zimbabwe Tanzania Mauritius Mozambique South Africa Madagascar

Regionally, Botswana scores well; this graph better than most, but still fall far short of gender shows that topping the list with the highest parity. The rest of the region has a gross under proportion of women in economic decision representation of women in economic decision- making positions in the public sector are making. For example, Mauritius has no women Botswana (44%) and Swaziland (40%), Seychelles at all in these positions. (31%) and Mozambique (25%). They are faring

38 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Table 21: Private sector and parastatal leadership in Botswana Women Men Total % women % men Private sector 119 320 439 27 73 Board members 20 122 142 14 86 Head of the Company 5 32 37 14 86 Parastatals 45 106 151 30 70 Board members 29 58 87 33 67 Head of the Company 1 9 10 10 90 Source: BIDPA (2008) and Gender Links (2010).

Gender budgeting The Protocol provides that State Parties shall ensure gender responsive budgeting at the micro and macro levels including tracking; monitoring and evaluation.

As present there are no existing gender budgeting initiatives in place. An attempt was made in 2002 when the NGO Coalition was contacted to pilot a Gender Responsive Budget Analysis Project in the Ministries of Labour and Home Affairs and Local Government.

Time use The Protocol provides that by 2025, state parties shall conduct time use studies and adopt policy measures to ease the burden of the multiple roles played by women.

In Botswana no time use studies have been undertaken, but the Women's Affairs Department is looking into planning this with the Central Statistics Office. This is critical to address the burden placed on women by the multiple roles they are executing, without any remuneration.

Economic empowerment The Protocol provides that state parties shall, by 2015, adopt policies and enact laws which ensure equal access, benefits and opportunities for women and men in trade and entrepreneurship, taking into account the contribution of women in the formal and informal sectors; Review national trade and entrepreneurship policies, to make them gender responsive; Introduce affirmative action measures to ensure that women benefit equally from economic opportunities, including those created through public procurement processes.

Trade and entrepreneurship The removal of protectionist trade policies to link Botswana's economy to the global markets, seems to have a negative effect on the participation of women in trade, as local female producers are challenged to compete with foreign products sold at lower rates. As women's access to markets is restricted and they are largely represented in the informal sector, this negatively impacts women's economic participation. The development of skills and knowledge to be able to compete in the global economy is crucial for women (WAD 2002).

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 39 Most strategies and programmes by the economic and legal environment for the government to support economic empowerment operation of informal sector business is not of women have come to a halt. A programme conducive and not well articulated and by UNDP and the Botswana government that mainstreamed in formal macro- or micro- provided economic assistance to economic economic policies. This is a potential area of empowerment programmes ended in 2003. Other economic growth and diversification thus needs programmes to support SME enterprises were to be promoted and mainstreamed into economic stopped and replaced by the Citizenship policies. Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) (WAD 2002). However, CEDA does not have any policies in place to stimulate women's economic Table 22: Informal sector businesses by industry and sex of owner empowerment, as they work from the equality principle that all citizens have equal access to Industry Male Female Total resources. Agriculture 519 563 1082 Manufacturing 1009 3905 4915 The Women's Affairs Department organises an Construction 1432 70 1502 annual Women's Expo, an exhibition that provides Wholesale & Retail 3638 12745 16384 women with a platform to market their products. Hotels & Restaurants 680 2877 3557 Women's NGOs in Botswana are working to Transport & Communications 1319 1315 2634 stimulate women's participation by providing Financial 37 100 137 education, but the critical factor is that women Real Estate 3538 4671 8210 continue to be burdened by the multiple roles Education 17 74 91 they have to fill (WAD 2002). Policies have not yet taken into account the gender aspect and Health & Social work 320 112 431 have to be adjusted to be able to provide for Other Community services 740 740 1479 women in order to increase their economic Total 13249 27172 40421 participation. Source: CSO 2007 Informal Sector Survey Report

Informal trade Procurement The CSO Informal Sector Survey of 2007 shows Affirmative action measures to enable women that the number of informal sector businesses in to access and benefit equally from economic Botswana are estimated at 40,421, which is an opportunities are lacking. In a study by the increase of 72.3% compared to the survey of Ministry of Finance and Development Planning 1999 - 67.6% of the informal businesses are run in 2007, it was recognised that the economic by women, compared to 32.4% by men. Most of status of women demands more attention and the businesses can be found in the Wholesale & that there is a need for further gender- Retail Trade industry (40.5%), followed by Real disaggregated data in this area. Furthermore, Estate (20.3%) and Manufacturing (12.2%). the study acknowledged that the majority of Interestingly, female ownership dominated in large-scale investments, including those by the nearly all categories, except for Construction and Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), Health and Social Services. The survey found that Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency as most informal businesses are likely to be run (CEDA) and National Development Bank (NDB) by persons without, or with little, education, the are going to men and the local business level of education contributes to the choice of environment is still dominated by men (Ministry operating in the informal sector (CSO 2007). The of Finance and Development Planning 2007).

Property and resources The SADC Protocol provides that by 2015 state parties shall review all policies and laws that determine access to, control of, and benefit from, productive resources by women.

40 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA The National Policy on Gender and Development inheritance of the land is through the man (BIDPA, of 2008 makes note of the fact that despite the 2009). Therefore, unmarried women have no positive changes in legislation, women still have direct access to land or cattle as these resources limited access to, and control over, productive are allocated via the male head of the family resources. It has been documented in the National and have no direct control or access to productive Population Policy Review of 2007 that almost resources. The right to land for women is secured, 50% of households are female-headed, and that though, in Common Law, after the review of all the majority of poor people and poor households discriminatory laws in 1998. are female-headed (Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs 2008). There are no special policies in place for women to access credit. Table 23: Women ownership of land Gender and land ownership % of women s Number ownership The total number of land owners in Botswana is Female 186699 46,13% 404,706, of which 186,699 (46.13%) are women. Male 218007 53,87% The lack of balance in landownership can be Total 404706 100% contributed to the fact that in customary law, Source: BIDPA, 2009 .

Employment The Protocol provides that by 2015, state parties shall review, amend and enact laws and policies that ensure women and men have equal access to wage employment in all sectors of the economy. It also provides for equal pay for equal work; eradication of occupational segregation; maternity and paternity benefits.

Table 24: Women and men in employment No. of women No. of men Total % women % men Employed 257388 281762 539150 48 52 Unemployed 63546 50876 114422 56 44 Self employed - - - - - Source: CSO 2005/06 Labour Force Report.

Informal trading is the by-product of unemployment. Photo: Gender Links

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 41 Table 25: Employment levels of women and men across key occupations Sector No. of women No. of men % women % men Agriculture 62561 98802 39 61 Mining and quarrying 1716 12457 12 88 Manufacturing 19962 16010 55 45 Electricity and Water 1537 2626 37 63 Construction 4476 23111 16 84 Wholesale and retail trade 49478 27924 64 36 Hotels & Restaurants 10898 3770 74 26 Transport & communication 5555 10496 35 65 Finance 5406 3018 64 36 Real estate 9701 15554 38 62 Public Administration 15036 22312 40 60 Local Government 10582 12227 46 54 Education 28063 15182 65 35 Health 8609 5393 61 39 Other Community activities 5342 5213 51 49 Private Households 18027 7208 71 29 Foreign Mission 439 456 49 51

Source: CSO 2005/06 Labour Force Report.

Women dominate significantly in the wholesale transport, but also in the real estate and public and retail sector, hotel and restaurants, education administration sector. CSO states in a recent and private households. It is evident from this briefing that the share of women in wage data that men are still a large majority in the employment in the non-agricultural sector traditionally male-dominated sectors such as decreased in 2008 to 41%, after increasing for a construction, mining and agriculture and few years from 38% in 2004 (CSO 2009).

Table 26: Conditions of employment Provision Yes/No Provisions Maternity leave Yes Provision is made for maternity leave totalling 12 weeks (six weeks before and six weeks after confinement) after the employer has been presented with a certificate signed by a doctor, medical nurse or a midwife. An additional two weeks maternity leave may be granted on account of illness. Paternity leave No - Sexual harassment Some It is recognised in the Public Service Act covering the public sector, but very few ministries are making mention of this in their respective policies. Some institutions have incorporated sexual harassment policies, such as the University of Botswana and the Bank of Botswana. Night work If the working week is five days, then the working day may not be more than nine hours and a period of rest totalling one hour should be provided during the day. If the working week is more than five days, then the working day may not be more than eight hours or more than 48 hours in a week. A break of at least 30 minutes must be given after five consecutive hours of work. A rest day of not less than 24 consecutive hours, normally including Sunday, must be given in every period of seven consecutive days. Shift workers must be given a rest day of at least 30 consecutive hours in a period of seven consecutive days. Source: Employment Act - CAP 47:01, 2009.

42 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Gender-based violence

Articles 20-25

Extent of gender-based violence The Protocol aims to reduce current levels of gender-based violence by half by 2015.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious threat The criminal justice system is inadequate and to the attainment of gender equality in Botswana. penalises crimes in a generalised way without In 2007, 1,596 cases of rape and attempted rape addressing the gender dimension. There is a were reported, and 101 women were murdered minimum sentence of 10 years for rape with an by intimate partners. Key forms of GBV include additional five years where the perpetrator rape, assault, emotional and financial abuse, knowingly infected the survivor with HIV. incest, defilement or (sexual molestation of girls), sexual harassment and femicide. Research shows The gap in gender-sensitive laws is closing with that most violence against women in Botswana the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act (Act is domestic; the perpetrators are often partners, No. 10 of 2008). The Domestic Violence Act seeks family members or close acquaintances. It also to afford protection to victims through the civil shows that most cases of domestic violence justice system, and the intention is that this Act revolve around the maintenance of men's complements the criminal justice in place. There economic and social control over women is currently no law dealing with the trafficking (Mookodi, 2004). A study conducted by Modie- of persons. There are no victim support units in Moroka (2007) on intimate partner violence (IPV) the police service, and there exists only one in Botswana found more than one-third lifetime women's shelter in the country. Much more is exposure to IPV among respondents, while 34% required to improve services for survivors. of the respondents reported that they had been in a relationship that they perceive as abusive. The Botswana National Action Plan (2007) is in Women are more likely to report having been in place to end GBV, but stills needs to be an abusive relationship than men. popularised and put into action, including the provision of adequate resources. There is not The Penal Code stipulates a maximum life enough outreach and awareness-raising on GBV, sentence for rape, but such sentences are rarely and the campaigns are mostly led by women's pronounced and a provision to automatically organisations, particularly during 16 Days of deny bail to rape respondents was declared Activism against GBV. Men in Botswana have unconstitutional in 1998. Botswana's criminal been increasing their participation in the response law makes no provision for marital rape (PHR to GBV, particularly through the Ministry of 2007). Health. There is a National Strategy and

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 43 Programme of Action for Male Involvement in Reports from the Botswana Police Service, in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, the 2008, show that women in Botswana experience Prevention of HIV/AIDS and Gender-based increasingly varied manifestations of GBV. Exact Violence for 2007-2012. figures on rape and related offences are often unavailable or unreliable as most cases go The Women's Affairs Department, together with unreported. The Botswana Police Service Report UNIFEM, are executing an extensive baseline also states, due to the patriarchal nature of the study on the link between GBV and HIV/AIDS. criminal justice system and its agents, with laws The research showed that, in general, victims that are rooted in traditional attitudes on the and survivors classified all service providers, with roles of men and women, most women would the exception of the health sector, unhelpful to find it difficult to report domestic violence in the the plight of victims of GBV. It also notes that first place. The Police study found that in some there is no policy that mandates individuals, cases, the perpetrator was in the same room as communities and government to take the victims whilst reporting, officers had negative coordinated corrective action against perpetrators attitudes towards the victim and not all cases and provide rehabilitative support services for were attended by female officers due to survivors of GBV. constraints in the number of female police officers (BPS 2008). Overall, specific data on GBV is lacking. The WAD/UNIFEM research found that poor record The Botswana Police Service concluded that police keeping generally (highly incomplete and not officers need more specific training in the computerised); and keeping records of cases of management of GBV cases. Even though the violence, including domestic and gender-based Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2008, violence especially, poses a major challenge in domestic violence is still not considered to be a trying to measure the extent of gender-based serious crime and the response of the legal system violence. to GBV remains inadequate (BPS, 2008).

Table 27: Number of reported GBV cases between 2003 and 2007 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Passion killing 54 56 85 62 101 Rape 1506 1517 1540 1534 1596 Defilement 303 320 319 324 391 Indecent assault on females 92 107 91 324 391 Defilement of imbeciles 16 18 31 29 17 Incest on females 4 5 6 8 8 Total Reported GBV cases 1975 2023 2072 2072 2211 Source: Botswana Police Service 2008.

The table above shows a rise in the number of reported cases of GBV in Botswana. A survey by the Botswana Police Service on the handling of GBV notes that, of the 15 police stations they identified in 2008, there was a total of 1820 police officers employed, and only 433 (30,7%) were female. This means that when a women wants to report a violence-related case, there is a high possibility that there will be no female officer available to attend to her, contrary to what is legally required (BPS 2008).

GBV knows no boundaries. Photo: Trevor Davies

44 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Response and support The SADC Protocol provides that by 2015 state parties shall: Enact and enforce legislation prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence; Ensure that laws on gender-based violence provide for the comprehensive testing, treatment and care of survivors of sexual assault; Review and reform their criminal laws and procedures applicable to cases of sexual offences and gender based violence; Enact and adopt specific legislative provisions to prevent human trafficking and provide holistic services to the victims, with the aim of re-integrating them into society; Enact legislative provisions, and adopt and implement policies, strategies and programmes which define and prohibit sexual harassment in all spheres, and provide deterrent sanctions for perpetrators of sexual harassment.

There are a few NGOs, such as Kagisano Women's based violence. However, a number of police Shelter, Women against Rape, Botshabelo Rape stations do have specialised units that deal with Crisis Centre, Emang Basadi, Life Line, Child Line, gender-based violence and there is a move to YWCA, WLSA and Ditshwanelo, providing services roll out more, especially to rural areas (NAP 2007). to survivors of gender-based violence and these are often found only in urban areas. Services to While services for victims of gender-based violence survivors of gender-based violence are less are available to survivors, WAD notes that there accessible especially to survivors and victims in are major shortcomings in as far as stakeholder rural and remote settlements. coordination and victim referral is concerned. The poor stakeholder coordination and victim Most shelters and counselling services are referral results in poor victim follow up and limits provided by NGOs. Government does not grant victim's access to critical services such as legal aid services for those affected by gender- psychosocial support (WAD/UNIFEM 2009).

Table 28: GBV response and support Provisions What is in place? Provisions Laws/ policies Legislation prohibiting all forms of National Gender Programme Legislation on gender-based violence, including GBV. Framework; Domestic Violence Act; marital rape. Penal Code. Ensuring that all perpetrators of Penal code. As the number of unreported cases is significant, GBV are brought to book. measures need to be put in place to encourage women to report. Comprehensive testing, treatment and Primary health care system provides In remote rural areas where these services are not care of survivors of sexual offences - for testing, treatment and care. regularly available (mobile clinics), survivors do not emergency contraception. have immediate access to testing, treatment and care. Access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Through primary health system. survivors of GBV. Prevention of sexually transmitted Awareness building prog-rammes on More effective strategies on behavioural change. infections. prevention of sexually transmitted diseases; HIV/AIDS Policy; National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS 2003/09; Free distributions of condoms by the government. Social and psychological rehabi-litation Rehabilitation programme in prisons. More effective counselling programmes for of perpetrators of gender based perpetrators. Also need to consider awareness violence? building and training in the school curriculum. Review of criminal laws and procedures Review of the laws and Penal Code More effective programmes for service providers and on sexual offences and GBV to was adjusted. greater gender sensitivity to create a safer space for eliminate gender bias and ensure that reporting. justice and fairness are accorded to the survivor. Human trafficking Specific legislation to prevent human Signed CEDAW Legislation needs to be put in place specific to human trafficking. trafficking.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 45 Provisions What is in place? Provisions Mechanisms to eradicate national, - Develop and implement strategies to eradicate human regional and international human trafficking networks, to include public awareness of trafficking networks. the issue. Harmonised data collection on - trafficking. Capacity building, awareness raising - and sensitisation campaigns on trafficking. Sexual harassment Adopt laws, policies, programmes that There is a policy in place for the Need for enforcement and assertiveness building define and prohibit sexual harassment. public sector, at the University of amongst women to increase reporting. Botswana and the Bank of Botswana. The University also has a sexual harassment committee which is gender-balanced. Gender balance in bodies adjudi-cating - sexual harassment cases. Support services Cases on GBV to be heard in a It is a legal requirement to provide As this is often not the case, due to insufficient female gender-sensitive environment. gender sensitive environment for staff and awareness on GBV, more recruitment and reporting. training needs to be undertaken to secure a safe environment for reporting. Special counselling services Dedicated and sensitive services The primary health care system Survivors of GBV that require medical attention face provided by police units; health; social provides for testing, treatment and challenges in the areas of transport by the police welfare. care. service due to shortages, and the overcrowded nature of clinics. More resources have to be allocated to supply for the above. Accessible information on services Information on which services are available to survivors of gender based available and where is limited. violence. Accessible, affordable and specialised Government currently does not grant Legal Aid services have to be put in place to support legal services including legal aid to legal aid services for those affected survivors of GBV in reporting process. A pilot to do survivors of gender based violence. by gender-based violence. so is currently being developed by the Attorney General's Chambers.

Some NGO's like Emang Basadi have arrangements with private lawyers to provide legal aid to poor women. UB also have a legal aid clinic for people that cannot afford legal services have limited outreach and resources. Specialised facilities, including support Services to survivors of violence are Coordination and information sharing between the mechanisms, for survivors of GBV. offered by the police, medical stakeholders is insufficient and needs to be improved. personnel, psychosocial support and the judiciary. Rehabilitation and reintegration Psychosocial support. More resources need to be allocated to secure facilities for survivors of GBV. effective follow up of counselling. Training of service providers Gender sensitisation training for all The Botswana Police Service is being More effective training is required to sensitise service service providers engaged in the trained on gender during their providers on the gender dimension of the issues they administration of justice, such as judicial college training. are dealing with. officers, prosecutors, police, prison, welfare and health officials? NGOs such as BONELA and Emang Basadi, as well as WAD, provide gender training to service providers but have limited resources and access. WAD with other service providers are working on an integrated response to GBV and referral system. Community sensitisation prog-rammes In this area NGO's have undertaken More effective training on grassroots level needs to for survivors of gender-based violence. many activities and WAD runs be put in place to address the underlying causes of workshops on gender-based violence GBV, often rooted in traditional beliefs and practices. for communities but the coverage is limited. Formal training programmes for service Botswana participated in the process providers. of dealing with GBV manual by the Commonwealth and training was executed.

46 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Overall, up-scaling of awareness-building efforts Penal Code legalises abortion when the pregnancy on GBV are required and remaining challenges is a result of rape, defilement or incest. However, have to be addressed. For example, mandatory it is required that the abortion be done within 16 HIV testing for accused persons before sentencing weeks and by a medical practitioner being poses a difficulty because rape cases take long to “satisfied on evidence”, which makes it impossible be decided and an infection may have occurred for the abortion to be done (WAD 2009). after the alleged rape but before the conviction. Verification of the victim's evidence is not a The Botswana Police Service recognises the need statutory requirement but a practice developed for more inter-sectoral collaboration between by the courts and it makes it difficult for a the legal, medical, social and psychological service conviction to be secured. Section 160(2) (a) of the providers (BPS 2008).

Prevention The Protocol provides for measures, including legislation to discourage traditional and cultural practices that exacerbate GBV and to mount public campaigns against these.

In 1999, a Study on the Socio-Economic public awareness on the issues of gender violence, Implications of Violence Against Women was but these efforts need to be continued commissioned by the Women's Affairs throughout the year, as cultural beliefs and Department to document forms and the extent practices are changing at a slower pace than the and economic implications of gender violence. formal legal environment. NGOs are offering Much more needs to be done to discourage training to media on reporting gender violence. traditional beliefs and practices that contribute to the persistence of gender violence despite The National Strategy and Programme of Action efforts that have been made. The Botswana for Male Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive National Action Plan to End Gender Violence Health and Rights, the Prevention of HIV/AIDS addresses several actions to be undertaken in and Gender-based Violence, has a clear objective the areas of awareness-raising and prevention concerning the prevention of gender violence. programmes. These include creating a critical Its aim is to reduce to 50% in the year 2012 the mass of boys and men involved in ending gender- incidence of negative SRH practices and GBV due based violence, a comprehensive and participatory to cultural beliefs and practices by males, and to radical transformation education programme increase to 80% by 2012 the proportion of boys and to use the 16 Days Campaign to measure and men who have participated in education progress, demand accountability and raise and training sessions on gender and male awareness. During the 16 Days of Activism in involvement issues and the prevention of GBV 2008, many activities were undertaken to raise (Ministry of Health / UNFPA 2007).

Integrated approaches The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development calls on states to adopt integrated approaches, including institutional cross sector structures, with the aim of reducing current levels of gender-based violence by 2015.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 47 The Botswana National Action Plan to End Gender fragmented. The plan notes that there is a Violence was developed by stakeholders from women's sector group convened by the Women's government, civil society, the police, and the Affairs Department as well as the BOCONGO university, as a response to the call by the UN Gender Sector but there is not much coordination Secretary General, in his 2006 global report on on gender violence issues. Therefore a multi- violence against women and children, for all sector national action plan was compiled to countries to develop comprehensive, multi-sector provide a coordinating framework (NAP 2007). plans to end this scourge. The plan is structured Implementation of the plan has to be accelerated. according to the 1998 Addendum to the SADC There is an urgent need to advocate for more Declaration on Gender and Development for the resources and a proactive and responsive high Eradication of Violence Against Women and level mechanism/structure to adopt an integrated Children. This National Action Plan was initiated approach to GBV and HIV and AIDS. In this regard as it was recognised that the current work effective coordinating machinery needs to be undertaken to end gender violence is largely established.

National Action Planning in Botswana. Photo: Colleen Lowe Morna

48 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Health, HIV and AIDS

Articles 26-27

The Protocol provides for state parties to, by 2015, adopt and implement legislative frameworks, policies, programmes and services to enhance gender-sensitive, appropriate and affordable quality health care; reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75% and ensure the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities.

General Ministry of Health developed an Adolescent In Botswana's mid-review of the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Implementation Development Plan 9, the fight against HIV and Strategy in 2003 to address the specific needs of AIDS is addressed as the most critical issue. The adolescents and reverse the negative trend of Botswana government is scaling up inputs into high rates of unprotected sex, HIV infections and the health system which has been weakened by premature parenting. Research shows that even emerging health problems, and the impact of though 97% of girls between the ages of 15-19 HIV and AIDS. There has been a shift from surveyed knew at least one modern method of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) to contraception and where to get it, only 22% comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health among those who were sexually active reported Programmes (SRH). While the MCH focuses on using at least one method. Contraceptive use women of reproductive age, it does not explicitly varied per the level of education, as the address gender equity and equality issues, the prevalence rate is more than 40% among women SRH programme makes the promotion of human who had secondary or tertiary education and rights and gender equality the basis for access 17% among women with no education (Ministry to reproductive health (UN Botswana 2007). of Health, 2003).

The maternal mortality ratio increased to 193.4 The government provides free condoms which per 100 000 births in 2007, from 139.8 in 2006 are widely available. The female condom was (CSO 2009). The Safe Motherhood Programme introduced in Botswana in 2002 but usage is still aims to strengthen safe motherhood services and low due to lack of knowledge and negative a maternal morbidity and mortality audit system conceptions among the general public. In 2008, was put in place to determine maternal mortality it was reported that between April and June, rates in hospitals (Ministry of Finance 2006). Much 274,608 male condoms and only 4,203 female more is required to tackle maternal mortality. condoms were distributed (Mmegi, 2008). The Ministry of Health has been undertaking Family planning/contraceptive usage campaigns to promote the re-branded female The Maternal and Child Health/Family Planning condom known as “bliss” through road shows (MCH/FP) approach is mainly aimed at mothers and distributing flyers and posters - a television and younger children, excluding youth. The advertisement is also planned.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 49 Teenage pregnancy is still a major concern, dropping out due to pregnancy at secondary especially in schools, as this means that girls have school. This also contributes to maternal mortality unprotected sexual relations. Media reports and illegal abortions. recently indicated a significant number of girls

Table 29: Key sexual, reproductive and health indicators Indicators Country statistic/policy Comment Current maternal mortality rate (Lifetime 193.4 per 100,000 births Ratio for 2007 according to CSO. Chance of Death from Maternal Causes (one in how many). % Births attended by Skilled Personnel. 99.4 Births attended by doctors, nurses or midwives in 2007 according to CSO. % Contraceptive use among sexually 44.4 For women 15-49 years, according to the World Bank's active women. Africa Development Indicators Report of 2008/09. % Contraceptive use among married - women. Number of deaths annually as a result of - Data not available. illegal abortions. Country policy on abortion. Lack of data as abortion is illegal Abortion is illegal in Botswana and only permitted on and only permitted on certain certain medical grounds, which include: to save the life medial grounds. of the woman, to preserve physical or mental health, or after a case of rape or incest. The abortion may only be carried out in a government hospital or private hospital or clinic registered for that purpose. An abortion after rape or incest must be approved in writing by two practitioners. Total Coverage of sanitation facilities. 47% Percentage of population with sustainable access to improved sanitation, according to the World Bank's Africa Development Indicators Report of 2008/09. Urban coverage. 60% Rural Coverage. 30% Source: CSO 2007 and World Bank 2008.

Box three: Termination of pregnancy

Abortion is illegal in Botswana and only permitted on certain medical grounds, which include saving the life of the woman, to preserve physical or mental health, or after a case of rape or incest. The abortion may only be carried out in a government or private hospital or clinic registered for that purpose. An abortion after rape or incest must be approved in writing by two practitioners.

Research shows that bureaucratic delays and limited access to health clinics are still encouraging illegal backstreet abortions. Although official data is lacking, the UN reports that illegal abortions are common and physicians often refuse to authorise abortions that fall under the law. There seem to be many obstacles in obtaining permission for an abortion. The absence of a clear definition of “acceptable evidence” that a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest poses a challenge as interpretation is inevitable. Approved institutions where abortion can be performed are scarce, with shortages of medical staff, and especially for rural women, accessing these institutions is difficult (UN 2009).

There is not much public debate taking place on the issue of abortion. Most Batswana agree with the current policy as it is in line with the Christian values of the society and traditionally it is encouraged to have children.

50 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA HIV and AIDS

Article 27

The Protocol provides for state parties to, by 2015, adopt and implement legislative frameworks, policies, programmes and services to enhance gender-sensitive, appropriate and affordable quality health care; reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75% and ensure the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities.

General The Botswana AIDS Impact Survey II (BAIS II) More is required to address prevention of HIV Statistical Report of 2005, states that the national and AIDS, including ensuring equal rights within HIV prevalence is 17.1%. It shows that the HIV marriage, protecting women and girls from prevalence is significantly higher amongst females violence and abuse, and promoting women's (19.8%) than males 13.9%). The National Policy rights in general. Although awareness of HIV on Gender and Development also makes note of and AIDS is high, there is a challenge to engage the fact that no decline has been achieved yet traditional structures so that some negative amongst pregnant women, which could be traditional and cultural beliefs that increase caused by the fact that women are still not able women's vulnerability to HIV and AIDS can be to negotiate safe sex. eliminated.

In the 2006/07 budget, P 650 million was allocated to the HIV and AIDS programme, which is 52.3% of the budget allocated to the Ministry of the State President. A concern noted by the Ministry Table 30: Key gender, HIV and AIDS indicators of Gender and Development is that there is a % % Total scarce allocation of any budget lines for gender- women men related issues (WAD 2008). Extent of comprehensive knowledge on HIV and - - - AIDS In 2007, UNAIDS and the World Health HIV infection 57 43 300000 Organisation (WHO) estimated between 280,000 Voluntary Counselling and - - 273676 and 310,000 adults and children were living with Testing HIV in the country. Of this group, 160,000-180,000 On ARV treatment - - 9300 were women (15 years and above). During that HIV positive pregnant 95 10450 year between 6,600-17,000 people died of AIDS women receiving PMTCT (WHO 2008). Source: WHO, 2008.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 51 The Protocol requires that by 2015 state parties shall develop gender-sensitive strategies to prevent new infections, taking account of the unequal status of women, and in particular the vulnerability of the girl child as well as harmful practices and biological factors that result in women constituting the majority of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Botswana has a national HIV and AIDS policy sexual relations with young girls. It recognises which recognises the need for the promotion of the concern that these relationships are further gender equality to enhance women's social and disempowering women to negotiate safe sex, economic status, and to empower them for more and this is a major barrier in HIV prevention. effective participation in decision-making about safer sex (Ministry of Health 1998). In 2007, a PMTCT midterm review of the National Strategic The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Framework for HIV/AIDS emphasised the need (PMTCT) programme is in place and since 2001 to increase prevention efforts in Botswana; in their services have been available in all public response the National AIDS Coordination Agency health facilities. There has been an increase in (NACA) developed the “National Operational testing amongst pregnant women from 64% in Plan for Scaling Up HIV Prevention in Botswana 2003 to 83% in 2004, which will most likely 2008-2010” (NACA 2009). A national campaign contribute to the implementation of routine and was developed to address the issue of “multiple rapid HIV testing in all antenatal settings. AZT concurrent partnerships”, which focuses on treatment has increased from 36% in 2003 to creating awareness of the importance of 61% in 2004 (Ministry of Finance 2006). behavioural change, specifically targeting young people. The National HIV/AIDS policy recognises as one of the effects of the epidemic the increase in NACA's National Campaign Plan identifies young orphaned children, and therewith the increase women as one of the main target groups, as they in the demand of social welfare services to meet often engage in multiple concurrent partnerships their basic needs. The policy does not cover with older men, for personal or material gain, specific services for orphans and vulnerable or for advancement in education or employment children affected by HIV and AIDS but the (NACA 2009). The plan notes the increasing trend government does provide for an orphan support of older men taking advantage of their status programme. obtained by sex, age and relative wealth, to have

Treatment The Protocol calls on state parties to ensure universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment for infected women, men, boys and girls.

Botswana has made good progress in providing universal access to treatment and care for men and women living with HIV and AIDS. UNAIDS/WHO reports that in 2007, between 100,000-130,000 people needed ART, and between 86,000- 99,000 people received ARVs. ART coverage is between 69-91% (WHO 2008). Botswana is also doing well in preventing mother to child transmission as 95% of pregnant women

52 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA received ART to prevent mother to child Care work transmission in 2007. ARV treatment is provided During May 2009, GEMSA conducted a policy free to citizens. audit of care work in Botswana. GEMSA aimed to evaluate current and future provisions for The government also provides for an orphan care-givers in the country, to identify policy gaps, support programme and a community home- and to provide recommendations on how based care programme, but women and girls are stakeholders can strengthen the care work burdened with home-based care, which is limiting programme. Ultimately, the findings from this their ability to participate in productive activities. report will contribute to a model home-based Currently there is no drive to increase shared care policy for the Southern African Development responsibility of care work with men. Community (SADC) region.

Table 31: Review of care work policies

ISSUE POLICIES OPPORTUNITIES RECOMMENDATION Remuneration At present only donor organisations The government is currently ¥ Engage stakeholders in a discussion provide financial incentives for CHBC reviewing the CHBC prog- on fair, sustainable government volunteers working at NGOs. ramme. During this evaluation provisions. they could explore and ¥ Assess the CHBC budget to see how The government feels that by strategise on providing the government can restructure it remunerating care-givers, they would volunteers with incentives and to better accommodate, and destroy the spirit of volunteerism. request ideas and feedback potentially pay, care-givers. from stakeholders. ¥ Explore the possibility of developing It is unclear whether the government a system where only a few has the capacity to provide a volunteers receive payment, based sustainable income to volunteers. on the number of hours and services provided. ¥ Explore other incentives such as free health care and food packages. Training/ The government currently has no The government is currently ¥ Consider moving towards a professional mandated, minimum level of training. reviewing the CHBC prog- standardised, mandated training recognition Nurses train CHBC volunteers at the ramme. During this evaluation programme. clinics on issues of tuberculosis, they could explore and ¥ Clinics should provide greater clarity adherence, diet and how to care for strategise on new training on their training sessions. patients. As new issues arise, the clinic programmes and request ideas ¥ Explore the possibility of accrediting provides care-givers refresher courses and feedback from training to help professionalise but this is ad hoc and unregulated. stakeholders. CHBC and create a career path within the sector. Many care-givers working for NGOs receive training from either clinics or other civil society organisations. Logistic and The government provides CHBC The government is currently ¥ Improve management and material support volunteers with a transportation reviewing the CHBC prog- evaluation of systems to accurately allowance of P151 per month (roughly ramme. During this evaluation predict community needs. USD 22) and clinical supplies. they could explore and ¥ Promote smoother, more efficient strategise on new provisions communication between for care-givers and request departments to minimise backlogs. ideas and feedback from ¥ Provide clear guidelines on stakeholders. transportation reimbursement and explore alternative forms of transport such as bicycles. ¥ Scrutinise the CHBC budget to make room for new concessions for volunteers. ¥ Fund provisions that have the most meaningful impact on the lives and work of CHBC volunteers. Psychosocial The government provides psychosocial The government is currently ¥ Increase the capacity of nurses and support support through supervisors at the reviewing the CHBC prog- social workers who are often clinics or through the social welfare ramme. During this evaluation overstretched and suffering from officers. they could explore and burnout.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 53 ISSUE POLICIES OPPORTUNITIES RECOMMENDATION As part of Ministry of Health’s strategise on strengthening ¥ Implement a report back session monitoring of CHBC, government psychosocial support for with volunteers on concerns raised representatives often visit volunteers caregivers and request ideas during evaluations. to discuss their challenges. and feedback from ¥ Incorporate stress management and stakeholders. exercises on how to cope with the CHBC organisations often facilitate loss of patients in volunteer training. discussions for volunteers to share their ¥ Encourage peer counselling so challenges and frustrations. volunteers can support one another. Gender equality The CHBC guidelines do not address The government is currently ¥ Communities should approach and the gender disparity in CHBC. reviewing the CHBC prog- sensitise men on issues of equality ramme. During this evaluation from an early age. they could explore and ¥ The Ministry of Health should strategise on strengthening actively recruit and engage men in the gender balance in CHBC volunteering. They should also raise groups and request ideas and awareness on sharing responsibilities feedback from stakeholders. in care work. ¥ Improve volunteer incentives. ¥ Sign the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.

To accurately reflect on conditions in the country, a CHBC programme since the early 1990s. The GEMSA held three focus group meetings and a guideline, which the government later revised series of interviews. Researchers identified in 1996, continues to be used today. In addition, participants through desktop research and to support the work of volunteers, the discussions with organisations involved in care government provides a monthly transportation work. The first meeting brought together 10 allowance and clinical supplies. The CHBC community home-based care (CHBC) programme has succeeded in impacting people organisations. The second focus group drew six infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. However, civil society organisations involved in gender and given the changing AIDS epidemic, the current HIV and AIDS, such as the Botswana Network of programme relies too heavily on an outdated AIDS Service Organisations (BONASO), the guideline. The government needs to broaden Botswana Network on Ethics Law and HIV/AIDS the focus of CHBC to address the needs and (BONELA) and Women in Action (WIA). GEMSA wellbeing of volunteers. also conducted an interview with a representative from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In addition, GEMSA held several interviews with government employees. The third focus group brought together five health workers and one home-based care coordinator. GEMSA also interviewed the Gaborone district CHBC coordinator.

The research revealed that Botswana has had Primary care-giver with orphaned extended family members, Botswana. Photo: Gender Links

54 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Media, information and communication

Articles 29-31

The Protocol calls on Member States to ensure that gender is mainstreamed in all information, communication and media policies, programmes, laws and training in accordance with the Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport.

Media regulations in Botswana confidence. These laws are accommodated under The Constitution of Botswana of 1966 (amended section 12(2) of the Constitution, which provides in August and September 1997) guarantees for permissible restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression to all citizens. Unlike many freedom in areas of defence, public security, African countries, where the ruling party bans public order, public morality, and public health. opposition views and news from newspapers, radio and television, Botswana has allowed a The Media Practitioners' Act, which came into diversity of views and robust debate in electronic effect in January 2009, is viewed as a significant and print media. threat to media freedom. It requires the compulsory registration of journalists. At issue Nonetheless, Botswana still has a number of laws is the question of whether certain provisions of that regulate the media. These laws, if invoked the Act are consistent with the Constitution. The by the state, override Constitutional provisions; African Media Barometer study of 2009 points grant discretionary powers to government out that by requiring journalists to be accredited officials; and impose harsh penalties on media before they practice, the Act turns the right to that breach them. practice journalism into a privilege (MISA, 2010).

The National Security Act (1986) regulates In addition, publishers were required to form anything that may be seen to threaten state the Statutory Media Council - failure to do so security, while the Directorate of Corruption and resulted in a fine or a three-year imprisonment, Economic Crime Act prevents journalists from or both. The Act also requires all websites and reporting on subjects under investigation until blogs to be registered with the Media Council. cases reach the court or investigations are concluded. The principle of sub judice therefore Press freedom advocacy groups believe the Act applies. potentially erodes media freedom and freedom of expression, ultimately engendering censorship Botswana also imposes restrictions on freedom and self-censorship. Opponents argued in favour of expression and media to protect the of maintaining the status quo of media self- reputations and rights of others, and prevents regulation through the existing Press Council of the disclosure of information obtained in Botswana. The Council includes a media

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 55 complaints committee and an appeals committee. The Botswana Press Council's Code of Ethics and It believes this body provides an avenue for the statutory Broadcasting Regulations (2004) public to seek recourse. stipulate that media practitioners maintain the highest professional and ethical standards and disseminate accurate and balanced information. These frameworks impose obligations on media practitioners to provide a right of reply to people who feel aggrieved by news reports. While in principle this aims to ensure media accountability, it needs to be measured in practice.

Members of the Press Council of Botswana recognise that gender equality is intrinsic to freedom of expression; that all women and men have the right to communicate their views, interests and needs, and that “giving voice to the voiceless” is critical to citizenship, participation, and responsive governance. In 2008/2009, the PCB worked with GL to develop a gender code of practice (please see excerpts Tshidi Morewane of the BPC at the GMPS workshop. below) Photo: Colleen Lowe Morna

Excerpts from the draft Botswana Code of Practice Members shall strive to ensure, through progressive targets, that women's views and voices are equally heard and represented across all media.

Members pledge through this code to strive for gender balance and to challenge gender stereotypes in and through the media.

The Code is informed, among others, by the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); the African Charter on Human and People's Rights; the Windhoek Declaration on Media Freedom in Africa and the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development and Botswana Vision 2016.

Concerns have been raised about section 4(1) of the National Security Act (1986), which makes it unlawful for any person who has obtained information from her or his position as a public servant to reveal information without authorisation. The prohibition is enforced by the possibility of up to 30 years imprisonment and has led to self-censorship in newsrooms.

Gender in media training The audit of Gender in Media Education in Southern Africa (GIME) is the most comprehensive study yet undertaken of the gender dimensions of journalism and media education and training in tertiary institutions in Southern Africa. The audit of the University of Botswana (UB) is part of a larger GIME audit that was administered in

56 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 25 institutions in 13 countries including Botswana, the Department of Media Studies and of these, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Lesotho, five are men. Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, • But the majority of students are females: Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Female students comprise 54% of the students Zambia and Zimbabwe between October 2009 in the Department. and April 2010. Gender Links (GL) undertook the study through its Gender and Media Diversity Curriculum development and course content Centre (GMDC) and through a partnership • Gender is considered in curriculum policies between media development organisations and and processes at institutional and knowledge institutions. departmental level: According to the data gathered, the Department of Media Studies This report provides an analysis of documents, considers gender in curriculum review processes. interviews, lecture observations and student focus • UB has an institutional structure to ensure groups conducted at UB's, Department of Media that gender is included in curriculum: A Studies. For this research, a total of nine male lecturer in the department coordinates individuals were interviewed, comprising three gender mainstreaming in the courses offered staff, two male and one female, and six students, by the department. half of whom were female. Of this demographic, • A gender-specific module had been 56% of the respondents were male while 44% developed in the department: The were female. Department of Media Studies at UB had a module titled Gender, Sex and Ethnicity in the Key findings Media within its programme prior to the The key findings of this audit are: 2008/2009 curriculum review. However, the course will not return in the new curriculum. Institutional policy framework • Gender is incorporated into some course • There is no stand-alone gender policy, but content: In the new curriculum, gender will the University's overall policy framework be mainstreamed in nine courses including: does incorporate gender. The University's Advanced Writing; Cultural Studies; Information policy statement recognises the institution's Gathering and Writing for the Media; Media role in “enhancing women's contribution to Ethics; Media Law; Radio Production and development” and states that “gender Research Methods. The department believes awareness in all programmes at the University” that gender mainstreaming requires should be increased. A Gender Programme and incorporating gender into all courses rather Policy Committee (GPPC) was created in 1991, than having a stand-alone module. and the University's Strategic Plan until 2016 • Attention given to the topic is dependent and beyond calls for gender balance in upon lecturers' own knowledge and management and development programmes. commitment to mainstreaming gender in • Gender is a consideration in curriculum course content: Lecturers have the freedom policies at departmental level. The to draft their teaching programme and there Department of Media Studies at the University are no specific guidelines for them on how to has adopted a strategy to mainstream gender mainstream gender. This creates an ad hoc into its curriculum and in departmental approach to the incorporation of gender into practices. course content. • There is a stand-alone sexual harassment policy. The University of Botswana's sexual Teaching/learning harassment policy applies to both staff • Students expressed a keen interest in and students. The University is a member of having gender incorporated into their the Southern African Network of Higher media training, and there is a fair degree Educational Institutions Challenging Sexual of gender awareness among staff: Students Harassment and Sexual Violence (NETSH). said there is a need for the department to mainstream gender into their media education Gender within the media studies and journalism training and they showed a departments reasonable understanding of gender and media • Males comprise the majority of academic literacy issues. Academic staff indicated that staff: In total, there are nine staff members in they may highlight gender in their teaching

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 57 challenge systems that disadvantage one group over another.

Prescribed texts/readings/learning materials • There are very few materials and texts on gender: Although the audit did find that lecturers were using a few publications on gender and media issues, the wealth of gender and media literature research and training materials that has been published internationally, and within the Southern African region, is missing from the prescribed texts, readings and course materials used in the media education and journalism training curriculum.

Assessments • Gender is not incorporated as a standard in any systematic way in the media education and journalism

Gender and media literacy class in Botswana. Photo: Gender Links training department's assessments or curriculum: The Department's depending on the subject, but there is still assessments of students' learning (exams, special difficulty in incorporating gender into practical assignments, etc.) does not incorporate gender. courses. • Both male and female students Research acknowledged the importance of gender • Academic research could be improved: in media education and journalism While there are examples of students' projects training: Students of journalism and media on gender and media issues, these issues have education and training highlighted that gender not become an area of academic research and in their training is important so that they can scholarship among the lecturers in the understand society better and how best to University's Department of Media Studies.

Giving equal representation to women and men by 2015 The Protocol urges Member States to take measures to promote the equal representation women in the ownership of, and decision-making structures of the media in accordance with Article 12.1 that provides for equal representation of women in decision making positions by 2015.

In 2009, GL and MISA undertook the Glass Ceilings media houses, and interviewed six in Southern Africa Media study. In Botswana journalists/senior managers/editors for their the study is based on research in five media perspectives on the results. A further 33 staff houses, with a total of 886 employees. Researchers responded to perception questionnaires. conducted in-depth case studies of two

58 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA TABLE 32: SUMMARY OF KEY QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS FOR BOTSWANA MEDIA HOUSES % BOTSWANA % REGION CATEGORY Female Male Female Male

Percentage of employees by sex 42 58 41 59 OCCUPATIONAL LEVELS Non-permanent 38 62 36 64 Semi-skilled 92 8 55 45 Unskilled 67 33 51 49 Skilled technical 32 68 45 55 Professionally qualified 28 72 31 69 Senior management 39 61 28 72 Top management 30 70 23 77 Board of directors 24 76 28 72 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Freelance 22 78 43 57 Part-time 100 0 23 77 Full-time, fixed-term contract 25 75 37 63 Full-time open-ended contract 51 49 42 58 DEPARTMENTS Percentage of women and men in: Finance & administration 67 33 54 46 Editorial 36 64 42 58 Advertising/Marketing 38 62 57 43 Human resources 81 19 44 56 Production 50 50 30 70 Technical/IT 0 100 16 84 Design 38 62 31 69 Printing & distribution 50 50 24 76 BEATS Top three beats covered by women Religion 100 0 52 48 Entertainment/arts/culture 100 0 42 58 Health 100 0 59 41 Top three beats covered by men Economics/Business/Finance 0 100 39 61 Labour 0 100 36 64 Science and Technology 0 100 39 61 Agriculture 0 100 41 59 POLICIES Botswana Region Existence of a gender policy 20 16 Existence of a sexual harassment policy 60 28 Need for improving gender policies 60 68

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 59 Key findings included: of those in senior management in media houses • There are more men than women in in Botswana; higher than the regional average Botswana media houses: Men constitute of 28%. The Botswana and regional findings 58% of employees in media houses, 16% more for women in senior management show that than the 42% women employees. The women are more likely to appear in junior proportion of women in Botswana media positions than senior management positions. houses is slightly higher than the regional average of 41% women in Southern African • Conditions of employment for women media houses. vary: Women in Botswana media houses are more likely than men to be employed part- • But there are differences between media time. The regional average for women working houses: Three media houses in Botswana have part-time is 23%. On the other hand they stand exceeded parity, with more women than men. almost the same chance as men to be employed The Voice newspaper has the highest on full-time, open-ended contracts with 51% proportion of women at 55% followed by Mass representation in this category. This is Media Complex Information Services at 54% significantly higher than the regional average and Broadcasting Services at 41%. Dikgang of 42%. Publishing Company and Yarona FM still have a long way to go at 28% and 26% women • Women dominate in the Human Resources respectively. and Finance and Administration depart- ments: The proportion of women in Human • Women constitute less than a quarter of Resources is 81% and 67% in Finance and the board of directors: Women constitute Administration. Men dominate in the 24% of those on boards of directors in media Technical/IT department with 100% houses in Botswana, compared to 28% in the representation. regional study. • More women in production departments • But they feature slightly better in top than in the region: In Botswana 50% of those management: Women occupy 30% of top in the production departments in media houses management posts in media houses in are women; this is higher than the regional Botswana; more than the regional average of average of 30%. 23% women in top management. • Fewer women in editorial departments: • Women constitute more than a third of At 36% women in editorial, Botswana is lower senior management: Women make up 39% than the regional average of 42%.

• The gender division of labour in “beats” is still pronounced: Male journalists dominate in all the “hard” beats such as labour (100%), economics/business/finance (100%) and science and technology (100%). In Botswana women journalists predominate in religion (100%); health (100%) and entertainment/arts/culture (100%).

• There are no targets in place for achieving gender parity in media houses: None of the media houses in Botswana could declare targets for ensuring gender equality in line with the SADC 2015 parity goal.

• Furthering the careers of women in Botswana media houses is not a priority: Naomi Ramatlapeng, a sub-editor at the Sunday Standard newspaper in Gabarone designs a page on 13 August 2010. Women are still mostly No media house in Botswana has strategies to found in production departments and are largely missing as reporters in Botswana's newsrooms. Photo: Thabani Mpofu fast-track women. The region is no better, with

60 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA only 10% of firms applying such strategies. regional average of 81%. Only 20% offer Women stand a slightly better chance when it paternity leave. This is lower than the regional comes to promotion strategies for women, with average of 33%. 20% of the companies saying they have these in place. • Child care and flexi-time are not a priority: None of the media houses in the Botswana • There is not enough effort to target good sample offered child care facilities, compared women candidates: Some 20% of media to 15% in the regional sample. Only 20% of houses in the sample stated they had a database media houses in Botswana have flexi hours - of women candidates, and 40% target women. much lower than the region's 75% average. Broadcasting Services and Dikgang Publishing do try to recruit women. In the regional sample • Fewer gender policies than sexual 36% of media houses have a database of harassment policies. Only 20% of media women candidates and a much higher number houses in Botswana have gender policies, while (54%) of media houses in the region target 60% have sexual harassment policies. And 60% women for jobs. say they need to improve existing policies. Only 16% of media firms in the SADC region have • There is a high commitment to maternity gender policies compared to 28% with sexual but not paternity leave: Four- fifths of media harassment policies, while 68% are keen to houses in Botswana said they offered improve their policies or formulate gender maternity leave - slightly lower than the policies.

Gender in media content The Protocol calls on Member States to encourage the media to give equal voice to women and men in all areas of coverage, including increasing the number of programmes for, by and about women on gender specific topics and that challenge gender stereotypes.

The Protocol urges member states to take measures to discourage the media from: • Promoting pornography and violence against all persons, especially women and children; • Depicting women as helpless victims of violence and abuse; • Degrading or exploiting women, especially in the area of entertainment and advertising, and undermining their role and position in society; and • Reinforcing gender oppression and stereotypes.

The GMPS took place in Botswana from 19 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing October to the 16 November 2009, covering seven in 1995, with the fourth such study conducted media houses and 880 news items. The study is parallel to this regional study in 2010. Gender part of a regional survey that covered 14 countries Links (GL), Gender and Media Southern Africa in Southern Africa and 33 436 news items. Network (GEMSA) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) conceptualised, managed It is a follow-up to the GMBS conducted in 2003, and coordinated the research and the in-country as well as the HIV and AIDS and Gender Baseline consultations . MISA information officers Study in 2006 and the Francophone Gender, HIV participated in the training, formed part of the and AIDS and Media Study in 2008. Comparisons monitoring teams at country level, as well as are also made where relevant to the GMMP that providing venues and equipment for meetings has been conducted every five years since the and training.

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 61 Table 33: Summary of key findings GENERAL MEDIA PRACTICE GMBS BOTSWANA GMPS BOTSWANA GMPS REGIONAL GMMP GLOBAL Topics % % % % Economics N/A 17 12 17 Gender equality N/A 1 1 N/A Gender violence N/A 2 1 N/A Politics N/A 20 19 28 Sports N/A 14 18 N/A Geographic scope of stories %%% % International N/A 27 22 26 SADC N/A 9 8 N/A National N/A 44 42 N/A Local/community N/A 20 18 N/A Province N/A 0 10 N/A Type of sources %%% % Primary sources N/A 87 69 N/A Anonymity %%% %% Anonymous sources N/A 3 18 N/A Diversity of sources %%% % Single source N/A 53 67 N/A GENDER AND THE MEDIA GMBS BOTSWANA GMPS BOTSWANA GMPS REGIONAL GMMP GLOBAL Who speaks % women % women % women % women Overall 16 20 19 24 Private media N/A 18 19 N/A Public media N/A 25 20 N/A Community N/A 0 22 N/A Who speaks on which topic % women % women % women % women Economics 24 17 15 21 Education N/A 43 24 N/A Gender Equality 0 25 43 N/A Gender Violence 60 32 41 N/A Political Stories 12 13 13 18 Sports 12 7 12 N/A Gender of sources by medium % women % women % women % women Print N/A 20 18 24 Radio N/A 15 20 19 Television N/A 30 25 26 Who is seen % women % women % women % women Images in newspapers N/A 26 27 N/A Ages - sources % women % women % women % women 35 - 49 years N/A 13 37 N/A 50 - 64 years N/A 4 20 N/A 65 years or older N/A 0 0.5 N/A Ages - images % women % women % women % women 35 - 49 years N/A 0 28 N/A 50 - 64 years N/A 0 14 N/A 65 years or older N/A 0 4 N/A Occupation % women % women % women % women Beauty contestant 100 77 73 N/A Business person 5 18 15 14 Government official 10 14 27 17 Health worker 28 27 63 31 Homemakers 100 64 63 72 Politicians 15 10 11 17 Sex worker 0 100 62 39

62 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Sportsperson 12 5 8 11 Personal identity %%% % Women 5 8 10 N/A Men 0 5 5 N/A GENDER IN NEWSROOMS GMBS BOTSWANA GMPS BOTSWANA GMPS REGIONAL GMMP GLOBAL Who does what % women % women % women % women All reporters N/A 24 29 N/A TV reporters 48 30 42 44 TV presenters 35 84 58 52 Radio reporters 0 0 30 37 Print reporters 41 23 25 33 Who reports on what % women % women % women % women Economics 38 17 28 40 Gender Equality 0 33 32 N/A Gender Violence 0 38 38 N/A Political stories 27 21 24 33 Sports 11 13 18 N/A Sources and sex of reporter %W %M %W %M %W %M Female sources by sex of reporter N/A 28 19 31 15 28 22 GENDER VIOLENCE AND THE MEDIA GMBS BOTSWANA GMPS BOTSWANA GMPS REGIONAL GMMP GLOBAL GBV stories compared to total N/A 5 4 N/A Advocacy and protest stories N/A 15 11 N/A Who speaks on GBV % women % women % women % women % of women in stories on and mentioned in GBV N/A 26 27 N/A Function of GBV sources %%% % Victim/survivor N/A 29 19 N/A Alleged perpetrator/perpetrator N/A 37 11 N/A Who reports on GBV % women % women % women % women Percentage of women reporters N/A 21 35 N/A GENDER, HIV AND AIDS AND THE MEDIA 2006 STUDY BOTSWANA GMPS BOTSWANA GMPS REGIONAL GMMP GLOBAL %%% % HIV and AIDS coverage compared to total 7 4 2 N/A Subtopics %%% % Prevention 47 16 26 N/A General 15 39 37 N/A Treatment 9 8 12 N/A Care, support and rights 14 11 14 N/A Impact 14 26 12 N/A Geographical scope %%% % International 12 35 12 N/A Regional 8 10 8 N/A National 48 53 56 N/A Local 25 2 15 N/A Function of sources %%% % Official and UN Agencies 57 34 19 N/A Civil society and NGOs 21 20 18 N/A Experts 13 4 17 N/A Traditional and religious leaders 2 2 2 N/A Person with AIDS 4 36 7 N/A Person affected 4 4 36 N/A Sources % women % women % women % women Who speaks on HIV and AIDS 34 19 20 N/A Reporters % women % women % women % women Who reports on HIV and AIDS 34 23 37 N/A

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 63 The key findings may be summarised as follows: to the low proportion of women as sources since, where there is only one source, research shows Media practice that in a male-dominated society this is likely to be a man. Gender equality is not given top priority in Botswana, constituting only 0.6% of all The voices of experts and spokespersons topics covered during the monitoring period: dominate the news in Botswana: Experts Politics was given the most coverage at 20%, make up 61% of sources and spokespersons 18%. followed by economics at 17% and sport at 14%. Eyewitnesses (1%), popular opinion (1%) and personal experience (4%) of “ordinary people” do not feature much in the news in Botswana or Figure 12: Topics covered by media - Botswana in the SADC region. 25% 20 20% 17 Gender in media content 15% 14 10% There are differences in representation of 5% 0.6 0.3 0.1 female sources in print, television and radio 0% media: Television has the highest proportion of Politics Sports Gender Mining Housing Economics equality women as sources at 30%, followed by print at 20%. Radio - a non-visual medium - has the lowest proportion of female sources at 15%. Figure 12 illustrates the three main topics the Botswana media focused on and those that Women are more likely to be seen than received the least coverage. These topics are heard: Women constitute 26% of all images in politics, which accounted for almost one-fifth of newspapers in Botswana, compared to 20% of the total coverage, followed by economics and news sources in print media. sports. The lowest proportion of coverage was on housing, mining and gender equality. This Figure 13: Women and men Women means that gender-related topics are not as news sources - Botswana Men considered newsworthy to the Botswana 100% 87 90% 83 media. 80 81 82 80% 75 76 70 70% The proportion of primary sources is higher 60% in Botswana than the regional average: 50% Primary sources make up 87% of all sources 40% 30 compared to the overall regional average of 30% 25 24 20 69%. The Voice newspaper leads with 94%, 20% 19 18 17 13 followed by Daily News at 92%, Sunday Standard 10% at 87% and Mmegi at 80%. Yarona FM at 70%, 0% BTV Country Sunday Mmegi/ Radio Radio Botswana at 68%, and BTV at 57%, are Yarona FMDaily News The Voice Standard Botswana the lowest. The Reporter

The proportion of single-source stories is There are differences between specific lower than the regional average but still of media: Figure 13 shows that BTV has the highest concern: Single-source stories in Botswana proportion of female sources at 30%, followed constitute 47% of the total, compared to the by Yarona FM at 25% and Daily News with 24%. overall regional average of 67%. However, the The lowest are the Sunday Standard (19%), fact that nearly half of all stories in Botswana Mmegi (18%), The Voice (17%) and Radio rely on a single source is worrying. It contributes Botswana (13%).

64 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Women are more likely to be identified by a Women Figure 14: Who speaks on what - Botswana Men personal tag than men: In this study 8% of women were identified by personal tags such Mining 0 as wife, mother or daughter, compared to 5% of men being identified as father, son or Housing 0 husband.

93 Sports 7 There are some interesting gender Politics 87 anomalies: Women have made inroads in certain 13 occupations previously regarded as men's. There Culture/tradition 86 14 are more businesswomen in the GMPS (18%) than seven years ago (5%). In the GMMP, women Economics 83 17 as businesspersons and government officials stand at one-fifth each. Women health workers also Sustainable development 82 18 increased from 28% in 2003 to 38% in the GMPS,

Religion 76 while government officials increased from 10% 24 to 19% and activists from 38% to 49%. Land and agriculture 76 24

Children 76 24

Crime 75 25 Gender-based violence (GBV) The Protocol calls on Member Gender equality 75 25 States to take appropriate

Disaster/war/conflict/protest 73 measures to encourage the media 27 to play a constructive role in the eradication

Media and entertainment 72 of gender based violence by adopting 28 guidelines which ensure gender sensitive Human rights 71 coverage. 29

Gender violence 68 32

64 Labour The GMPS found that: 36

Health 63 Articles about GBV or that mention GBV 37 account for 5% of topics covered: This is Education 58 42 slightly higher than the regional average of 4%.

Sex and sexuality 57 43

45 HIV and AIDS 55

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Percent

Figure 14 reveals that women in Botswana only speak more than men on HIV and AIDS; men dominate in every other category.

Gender biases in occupational categories are pronounced: Women constitute all sex workers (100%), 83% of labourers, and 64% of homemakers. They are almost entirely absent in the roles of social workers, scientists and miners. There are also few women in journalism at not even one-fifth of the total working population Getting ready for the Sixteen Days of Activism campaign. (19%). Photo: Colleen Lowe Morna

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 65 Women make up only a quarter of sources Domestic violence and legislative and in stories about or that mention GBV: Men political response receive the most coverage speak for women, even on issues that affect in Botswana, each making up a quarter of women most intimately. the total: There is no coverage of support for those affected, maintenance and economic Survivors constitute 29% of all sources on issues, femicide, gender violence and HIV and GBV: This is higher than the regional average of AIDS. 19%, but lower than the proportion of perpetrators whose voices are heard (37%). The Women constitute only one-fifth of fact that perpetrators speak more openly journalists reporting on GBV in Botswana: than survivors in Botswana is serious cause for There is gender disparity in the coverage of GBV, concern. particularly on BTV.

Figure 15: GBV topic breakdown - Botswana Region Country 25% 20% 15 15% 13 13 12 12 11 11 11 10% 8 5 6 5 5 5 5% 3 3 4 4 3 0 0 0 0 2 0%

Rape Sexual Domestic Legislative/ assault Femicide Support for violence Non-physicalviolence Child abuse Advocacy and Men killed in Maintenance/economic protest storiesSexual/indecentGenderand HIV/AIDSviolence those affected harassment political responses abusive situation

Figure 15 shows that domestic violence and in the GMPS, which is slightly higher than the legislative and political issues received the most regional average of 2%. coverage in Botswana. This is twice as high as the regional averages. However, it is worrying Voices of people living with HIV and AIDS that there were no stories in Botswana media are now heard in the on gender violence, HIV and AIDS, femicide, media: People living with maintenance and economic topics, or support HIV and AIDS make up for those affected. Other topics that also received 36% of sources, a little coverage include rape, child abuse and non- substantial increase from physical violence. These topics also received 4%. However, the voices of limited coverage in the region. This raises concerns people affected by HIV and about the role of media in Botswana and the AIDS still account for just SADC region in curbing GBV. Like Botswana, the 4%. same GBV topics received a high proportion of coverage in the region. The proportion of women HIV and AIDS sources on HIV and AIDS has The proportion of HIV and AIDS coverage increased: The 34% representation in 2006 has dropped: The 2006 HIV and AIDS and Gender has increased to 40% in the 2010 GMPS. This is and Media Study average of 7% dropped to 4% double the regional average.

66 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Implementation

Articles 32-36

Signing have also been putting pressure on the Botswana has not yet signed the protocol, as it government urging it to sign. The SADC has reservations concerning the mandatory Parliamentary Forum Regional Women's Caucus language of the protocol and the commitment also visited Botswana recently to lobby the to its timeframes. Despite ongoing lobbying president to sign. activities by the gender sector in Botswana, there is no direct sign of intent to sign the Implementation mechanisms and processes protocol. The president of Botswana, Ian Khama, Botswana's gender management system has declared on several occasions, though, that comprises the Botswana National Council on he will support women in decision-making Women in Development, the Women's Affairs positions and is committed to achieve gender Department (WAD) in the Ministry of Labour and equality. Home Affairs, Gender Focal Points in all ministries and District Gender Committees and Officers. Currently, the gender and development sector is continuing with its lobbying activities and is Gender mainstreaming within government has addressing the issue with different still to take root, as WAD is underfunded. It is stakeholders, such as parliamentarians and difficult to drive the gender equality agenda in heads of NGO's. During district-level workshops the country; reporting on regional and by Gender Links and BALA, councillors have international commitments such as CEDAW is expressed their support. Reports in the media inconsistent. The government of Botswana has

Table 34: National gender machinery and processes Component Yes/No Comments National Gender Policy Yes Policy of Women in Development 1996. Gender ministry Yes Women's Affairs Department (under Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs). Gender focal points in all line Some Gender Focal points have been established in Ministries departments. and this is expected to promote ownership of the Policy on Women in Development (WAD 2002). Gender structure in parliament. No Active collaboration with civil society. Yes Civil Society organised in the Gender & Development Sector. Plan for domestication/ popularisation of Ongoing Roadmap by the Gender & Development sector. the Protocol? National action plans with measurable - Botswana has not signed yet. time frames. Analysis of baseline data against a which - n/a a report will have to be submitted in 2010. Preparedness for first report next year - n/a

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 67 reported that it is committed to the promotion cannot be ignored. As is clear from the study, of gender equality by increasing the WAD budget Botswana has been undertaking many initiatives from $200,000 to $1.2 million for the financial to support measures to achieve gender equality, year of 2008/09 and through the establishment but some areas still require urgent attention. of gender structures in the districts (Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs 2008). More needs to be done to support women in accessing and benefiting from productive The government is required to send annual resources and employment, as well as stimulating reports to the SADC Secretariat on the status of the economic empowerment of women. The gender equality in the country, as well as challenges in the prevention of gender violence reporting on progress. and treatment for survivors need to be addressed. Up-scaling of awareness-building efforts are Mechanisms and institutions established to required and there is a call for more inter-sectoral promote the advancement for women further collaboration between the legal, medical, social include: and psychological service providers to survivors • Policy on Women in Development in 1996. of gender violence. • Formulation of the National Gender Programme Framework in 1998. Women are underrepresented at the decision- • Women's Affairs Department in 1997. making level and there is no legislated quota in • BOCONGO Gender & Development Sector. place to increase women's participation, which • University of Botswana Gender Policy makes it very unlikely that Botswana will reach Programme Committee (GPPC). the 50/50 representation target by 2015. Little • Botswana National Council of Women (BNCW) has been done to review the system to widen in 1999. women's opportunity to participate in the • Establishment of gender structures and elections as candidates and decision-makers. committees in the districts. Gender-based violence is a serious threat to the Conclusions attainment of gender equality in Botswana. As Botswana has not yet signed the SADC Protocol most cases of domestic violence revolve around on Gender and Development, so is not committed the maintenance of men's economic and social to its timeframes, but the country has committed control over women, the support for economic itself to the timeframes of Vision 2016. Vision empowerment of women is vital. 2016 identifies certain goals to be achieved by Botswana which include the establishment of an Another critical issue is the fight against HIV and educated, informed nation, a prosperous, AIDS. Botswana has made impressive progress in productive and innovative nation and a providing universal access to treatment and care compassionate, just and caring nation. Gender for all citizens living with HIV and AIDS; but is not integrated in this document, but to be able women and girls are still burdened with the care to achieve these goals, the gender dimension work at home, which is limiting their ability to participate in educational and productive activities. Currently there seems to be no drive to increase shared responsibility of care work with men. More is required to address prevention of HIV and AIDS, including ensuring equal rights within marriage, protecting women and girls from violence and abuse, and promoting women's rights in general. Although awareness of HIV and AIDS is high, there is a challenge to engage traditional structures in an attempt to eliminate some negative traditional and cultural beliefs that increase women's vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. Botswana street market. Photo: Gender Links

68 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA Annex A

LIST OF DOCUMENTS ACCESSED AND SUBMITTED Document Accessed and reviewed Copy of document Country Constitution X X Model legislation on any article Gender Policy X X HIV and AIDS Policy X X Trade Policies X Entrepreneur Policies Procurement Policies Health Policies X Labour Policies X Education Policies X X Economic Policy X Micro finance policy/ charter Land Policy X X Skills Development Policy Trafficking law / policy - - UN documentation X X All legislation - GBV, AA Domestic Violence Act 2008 X Election related data - reports on election results, voter X X registration lists, amongst others

SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA 69 Annex B

List of contributors to the SADC Gender Protocol Score Card for Botswana Name Organisation Email Land line Fax I. Molokomme Integrated Consultancies [email protected] and Resources Centre Elsie M. Alexander University of Botswana, [email protected] 3959161 3554196 GPPC/WILDAF Maungo Mooki Lifeline [email protected] 3911290 3911646 Game Mokondo Women's Affairs [email protected] 3912290 3911944 Department Pelonomi Letshwiti Gender and Media [email protected] Southern Africa - Botswana Tirelo Moche-Moroka University of Botswana/ [email protected] 3552685 Kagiso Women's Shelter Keabonye Ntsabane Gender Links Botswana [email protected] / Botswana Media Women's Association BOCONGO Participants at the Gender Sector Stakeholder Meeting on the SADC Protocol on Gender, Gaborone 8-9 October 2009

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72 SADC Gender Protocol 2010 Barometer • BOTSWANA The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development

Encompasses commitments made in all regional, global and continental instruments for achieving gender equality. Enhances these instruments by addressing gaps and setting specific, measurable targets where these do not exist. Advances gender equality by ensuring accountability by all SADC Member States, as well as providing a form for the sharing of best practices, peer support and review. In August 2008, Heads of State of the Southern African Development Community adopted the ground-breaking SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. This followed a concerted campaign by NGOs under the umbrella of the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance.

Although by the 2010 summit, 2 countries had still not yet signed, and only 3 had ratified the Protocol, the clock is ticking to 2015 when governments have 28 targets that they will have to account for. In keeping with the Alliance slogan: “The Time is Now”, this 2010 Barometer provides a wealth of updated data against which progress will be measured by all those who cherish democracy in the region. Whilst there are several challenges, the successes to date strengthen our view that change is possible. 2010 2 5 01 “Yes we can!” 00 5 2

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