Summit 2016: Bobirwa Sub District Council

The Bobirwa Sub District in Botswana is an area populated by the Babirwa (Ba-Birwa) people who originate from the Kalanga and the Nyai (Ba-Nyai).The Bobirwa Sub District is an administrative region in eastern Botswana part of the Central District. Bobonong is the largest town and the headquarters of the Bobirwa Sub District.

The council has exercised a number of gender-related policies to guide its work. The district council consist of 16 male councillors and 3 female councillors. The council aims to expand its percentage of female councillors from 16%. The Mayor, as well as the Deputy Mayor of the council are males.

The council is made up of seven committees, one of which is chaired by woman. There are more women employed than men in their Workforce of the council.

Young people, people living with disabilities (PWD) and community members participate in community-based planning projects and meetings. Between 51 and 57 percent, women participate in public consultations.

The total workforce of the council employees consist of 61 percent women, 18 percent youth and one percent people with disabilities. Women are only 12 of management. The accounting and revenue officers are women. The Council amended the recruitment, selection and promotion policies to increase the proportion of women in the workforce.

There are provisions for maternity leave but none for paternity leave. The council does have a sexual harassment policy. Cases of sexual harassment, When a complaint is lodged the HR conducts an investigation to determine if that act constitutes harassment and if it does they the perpetrator is called for a disciplinary hearing.

The Bobirwa Sub District Council allocates a substantial budget to gender-related projects, these amounts has stood at the same level from 2015 to 2016.

As part of the of the Council’s local economic development plan, The district has 32 market stalls of which 17 are allocated to women , 9 men and 6 PWD. There are 306 beneficiaries benefiting from jobs created by the council, 284 women and 22 men.

Women, men, PWD, and youth are involved in the planning, management, and maintenance of water and sanitation. There is a total of 7 water and sanitation committees. There is 1 women and 6 men on the committees, one of which is chaired by a woman.

Click here to read more about the  Bobirwa Sub District Council