Summit 2018: Serowe Administration Authority

Serowe (population approximately 60,000 is a town in Botswana’s Central District. A trade and commercial centre, it is Botswana’s largest village. Serowe has played an important role in Botswana’s history, as capital for the Bamangwato people in the early 20th century and as birthplace of several of Botswana’s presidents. More recently, it has undergone significant development as the town and Botswana continue to grow.

The gender policy has an action plan, which has no budget, and it is funded through other departmental provisions. Apparently, there are 20 male councillors and 4 women councillors. The Mayor is a male and the Deputy Mayors is a male figure.

The council entails of 6 committees and women chair none of it. Women, men, people with disability and youth participate in the council work through the council work they are in. Between 26-50 percent women participate in public consultations. These include kgotla meetings, community meetings and staff meetings.

The council employs an estimate number of 338 men and 447 men .There are 10 men and 13 women in management, 1 female in engineering female in finance, 2 auditors Information Technology.

The council provides maternity leave excluding paternity leave. There is no provision of flexible time. The council does not have a sexual harassment policy. Cases of sexual harassment are dealt with in accordance with General orders provisions as a guiding tool. Where necessary referrals are made to relevant authorities like the Police.

Serowe Administrative Authority gender budget for the 2017 to 2018.

The Council’s local economic development plan suggests that, 61 women out of 86 tenants have been allocated market stalls. Women are also given poverty eradication packages to start small businesses.

Men, women, youth, people with disability are included in the planning management and maintenance of water and sanitation .There is no indication of actual number of the committee members.

Click here to read more about the Serowe Administrative Authority.