Democracy Works Foundation launches a pioneering program, Capacity Enhancement for the Political Advancement of Women (CEPAW) at a stakeholder engagement symposium on 17 June 2021 at the Hilton Hotel in Gaborone. CEPAW is funded by the US Government through the US Embassy in Botswana.

MUST WATCH: Address by Minister Anna Mokgethi at the CEPAW launch co-hosted by DWF-Botswana.

CEPAW is a pioneering program aiming to increase the role and influence of women participating in political institutions and decision-making in Botswana, by building a platform for the emergence of women political leaders and strengthening the capacity of current women’s networks and groups across the political spectrum.

CEPAW emerges from the growing recognition of the untapped capacity and potential of women and women’s leadership. The value of women’s political participation has been proven tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and a more sustainable future. Despite these benefits, in Botswana, women are under-represented in political and decision-making processes affecting their lives and livelihoods. Following the elections held in October 2019, only 7 out of 65 parliamentarians (representing 9.5%) are women. However, of the seven, four came through presidential nomination, meaning only three women managed to secure their seats through elections. It was only in 2004 when Botswana obtained the highest representation of women in Parliament, although this was a meager 17%. At a local government level, only 11% of seats are accounted for by women following the 2019 elections. Since 1965, no woman has ever been put forward as a presidential candidate by any of the political parties.

Despite Botswana being the oldest democracy in Southern Africa and having adopted progressive instruments such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 on gender equality as a fundamental human right, as well as endorsing the National Vision 2036 that recognizing gender equality as central to socio-economic, political and cultural development, gaps are still visible across the political and decision making structures. Even when women gain representation, their influence is limited due to the centralization of party control in male-dominated political party leadership and gendered norms and procedures in political institutions.

The CEPAW launch will introduce the program to relevant and strategic partners with a particular interest in Political Parties, Civil Society, academia, government, media, and the private sector. To engender interest and responsiveness DWF will use this platform to identify areas of coordination among strategic partners and to raise awareness about the program. This platform will also offer stakeholders an opportunity to offer reflections and advice on best practices. Other objectives include:

• Reflecting on the history and challenges that women face in politics from the perspective and experiences of the various stakeholders.
• Introducing the various interventions that CEPAW intends to implement in Botswana.
• Reflecting on a current research study, and the various ways in which research findings will shape the direction of the program.

The event will close with a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities of re-energizing the collective efforts of women. A discussion aimed at finding locally appropriate solutions to inclusion issues in the context of Botswana’s political landscape.

Key stakeholders participating in the launch include:

• Anna Mokgethi- Minister of Nationality, Gender, and Immigration
• E Craig Cloud- United States Ambassador to Botswana
• Silvia-Bopp Hamrouni- Deputy Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Botswana
• Ngatangue Mavis Mukungu- Chief Information Officer-Independent Electoral Commission
• Natasha Hirschfield- Programme Specialist, Governance-UNDP
• Dr Kebapetse Lotshwao- Head, Department of Political and Administrative Studies- University of Botswana
• Ida Mokereitane- Executive Director- Emang Basadi
• Thapelo Phutheo- Director- Gender Affairs
• Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi- Political Veteran
• Dr David Mandiyanike- DWF Associate

As well as representatives from the following political parties; Alliance for Progressives, Botswana Democratic Party, Movement for Democracy, Botswana People’s Party, Umbrella for Democratic Change, Botswana National Front, and Botswana Congress Party.

Democracy Works Foundation (DWF) is a southern African non-profit organisation focused on democracy development in the region. With headquarters in South Africa, DWF works through its country offices to provide tools to develop resilient democracies. DWF is legally registered in Botswana as a non-profit organization.

For media engagement and interviews, contact:

South Africa:

Gugulethu Makhubo, Communications Manager – gugu@democracyworksfoundation.org

Botswana:

Yvonne Kgwarae, Project Officer –  ykgwarae@democracyworksfoundation.org

***END***

Democracy Works Foundation Botswana, together with the US Embassy in Botswana, embarked on launched of the first cohort of women who participated in the pioneering capacity development support programme, Capacity Enhancement for the Political Advancement of Women (CEPAW), under Democracy Works Foundation Academy Botswana.

The well attended ceremony held on the 18^th of October 2021, at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre, Gaborone, with guests comprising the US Embassy, political party leaders and Independent Electoral Commissions (IEC) representatives.

CEPAW aims to increase the role and influence of women participating in political institutions and decision-making in Botswana by building a platform for the emergence of women political leaders and strengthening the capacity of current women’s networks and groups across the political spectrum.

Addressing the guests and participants, IEC Manager: Elections Affairs and Field Operations, Mr Dintle Sparkie Rapoo in the IEC, commended the Democracy Works Foundation initiative as being essential and re-iterated the importance of men in powerful positions in ensuing that women are treated fairly and democratically.

“We acknowledge that political parties would not succeed without the contribution of women. They put in the work, but never rise to essential seats in parliament. We hope that skills development projects like this will help build a strong community and network of women in politics. Go ruta basadi, ke go ruta Sechaba.”

Speaking on behalf of political parties, as a non-partisan ally to women politicians, Mr Moeti Caesar Mohwasa called for radical change in political parties, “Political parties can’t continue politicising women’s rights and representation in decision-making positions. All sources of power still lie with men, and we need a radical change in our policies and culture.”

The CEPAW programme also includes an initiative to capacitate media practitioners in

becoming more active in advocating, influencing and supportive of women in their editorial approach.

Democracy Works Foundation (DWF) is a southern African non-profit organisation focused on democracy development in the region. With headquarters in South Africa, DWF works through its country offices to provide tools to develop resilient democracies. DWF is legally registered in Botswana as a non-profit organisation.

—

For media engagement and interviews, contact:

Botswana: Yvonne Kgwarae, project officer –  ykgwarae@democracyworksfoundation.org | or

South Africa: Lerato Maloka, communications coordinator – lerato@democracyworksfoundation.org