Summit 2018: Jwaneng Town Council

Jwaneng is a town located in the Southern District of Botswana, but it is not part of this, being a separate district, with its own Town Council. The town was formed around the Jwaneng diamond mine, considered the richest in the world in terms of its content of gem-quality diamonds. At its inception, it was a ‘closed town’, meaning that in order to live there permission was needed from the owners of the mine, Debswana.

The Gender policy crafted the action plan, which is yet to be presented to the council. There are 7 male councilors and 2 female councilors The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor are all males. The council has 4 committees and women chair one. Women, youth and PWD actively participate in the Council’s work.

Young people, people with disabilities and community members participate in community –based planning projects and meetings. An average of 51 -75 women participate in public consultations. To add on, women, men, youth and people with disability participated in various meetings.

The total workforce employed by the council is 263 men and 313 women, 144 youth and 3 disabled people. There are 8 men and 4 women in management. Women engages in various fields of works such as chief Finance & Development planning officer and Chief Physical Planning & Housing Estates Management officer are women.

There are provisions of maternity leave for 3 months and none for paternity leave in particular. The council does have a sexual harassment policy .Cases of sexual harassment are dealt with by Public Service Act. Where necessary referrals are made to relevant authorities like the Police and the Domestic Violence Act is used.

Jwaneng Town Council gender budget for the 2017 to 2018.

As part of the local economic development plan, the Council has constructed stalls and owns open spaces that are allocated to women, men, PWD and youth; 4 males (3 adults and 1 youth) have been allocated car parking space for car wash projects.

Women, men, PWD and youth are involved in the planning, management, and maintenance of water and sanitation. There is no indication on water and sanitation committees.

Click here to read more about the Jwaneng Town Council.