Botswana: Good Hope Sub District Council

The Good Hope Sub District Council is in the Southern Province of Botswana. The council has put in place a number of gender-related policies to guide its work. The district council consist of 12 male councillors and 4 female councillors. The council aims to expand its percentage of female councillors from 25%. The Mayor of the council is a female.

The council is made up of 3 committees, one of which is chaired by people with disabilities. 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 26 and 50 percent, women participate in public consultations.

The total workforce of the council employees consist of 60 percent women, 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. Significant progress has been made in this regard as we can see the above mentioned statistics are occupied by women.

There are provisions for maternity leave but none for paternity leave. The council does not  have a sexual harassment policy. Sexual harassment cases are dealt with in accordance with General orders provisions as a guiding tool. Where necessary referrals are made to relevant authorities like the Police.

The Good Hope Sub District Council allocates a substantial budget to gender-related projects from 2015 to 2016.

As part of the of the Council’s local economic development plan, No market place constructed by the council, but there is poverty eradication program which is all inclusive of all groups in the community.

Click here to read more about the Good Hope Sub District Council