Gender in Local Government Botswana

Key Facts

• 13 councils submitted best practices, with the most entries on gender based violence.
• The eight Councils that were verified had a baseline score of 59.9%, while the average score during verification process was 71.9% making an increase of 12%.
• Only five Councils made presentations at the 2013 Summit. The average score of these five Councils during verification was 71.8% and the average score by the judges during the Summit for these five Councils was 61.02% making a decrease of -10.78%. This year, Gender Links witnessed in increase of entries from categories including the media and NGOs. Some councils presented more than two projects.
• To show commitment, councils spent 32 thousand Pula to share the cost of the summit with Gender Links. The Ministry of Gender and the US Embassy also provided financial support.
• The COE process resulted in high level political support across ministries and political parties, as reflected in the high level attendance at the summit.

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Objectives

The Botswana Centres of Excellence in Gender Mainstreaming Programme sought to:

• Raise support for the in-country Gender Justice and Local Government summit in March 2013, leading to the regional summit in April.
• Raise support for the roll out of the COEs to all 29 of the local councils by 2015, the deadline for the achievement of the 28 targets of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. This rollout started with 9 Councils since 2010.
• Popularise and enhance application of the SADC Gender Protocol through the village workshops that accompany the COEs, and incorporate its targets in local action plans in order to increase community outreach and impact of the Protocol work.
• Share GBV findings at the local level and use the findings to impact on the gender and local government initiatives, as well as build up on the findings to help localities to start projects on GBV. This session is vital for the FLOW project that Gender Links will embark on in 2013 as well as for reaching the SADC target of halving gender violence by 2015.

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Background

In 2008, Gender Links conducted research entitled “At the Coal Face.” The findings of this resarch demonstrated a need to embark on the Centres of Excellence (COE) process. The study was done in 16 Districts.

This was then followed by a consultation with the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) to discuss the way forward. The Association then led discussions in which they consulted Ministry of Local Government and Land officials. A workshop was held with senior officials in the council and senior administrators in a workshop, and this resulted with a strategy document and buy in for mainstreaming gender in local authorities. A training of trainers was organised in which a manual was developed and some of the councillors were trained to champion the process and build ownership of the project. The rollout of the COEs then started in 2009 with the 16 councils, but then later there was a restructuring of councils where we ended up with 29 councils participating. Gender Links conducted workshops in all these councils in which action plans were developed addressing governance and Gender Based Violence. Most of these plans are still in draft, while a few of them are edited and awaiting adoption from the full councils. Currently we are left with 2 councils to roll out the process of developing their plans. The COE process includes both the districts and city councils.

The COEs bring together research, policy, action plans, on the job support and capacity building in a unique model that gives local expression to the 28 targets of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development À“ the sub regional roadmap for MDG 3 (gender equality). As in the case of the MDGs, these targets are to be achieved by 2015. Lists of all the councils in Botswana are:

GL Botswana is working with the Botswana Association of Local Authorities. BALA has a strategic document with the Ministry of Local Government and Land. Through this partnership, BALA’s mandate is to ensure that councils participate in the workshops scheduled and mainstream gender in their day to day activities. BALA women Commissioners take a lead as well to ensure that in the individual Districts they monitor progress of the COE.

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Target groups

The target groups for the programme are the local government councils, both rural and urban in Botswana. This collaboration with councils has moved the gender agenda forward. Council is contributing a lot in both financial and human resources to participate in the workshops.

Through the councils, we were able to reach out to the rural community which has managed to conduct workshops, and produce GBV survivor stories which call for strategic campaigns. We are receiving a lot of interest from both men and women wanting counselling services. We refer them to counciling services.

Through this process, we have been able to conduct workshops on the SADC protocol on gender in very rural communitities, in which we also learned about violence and its impact in communities. Through this group, Gender Links was able to produce 50 I stories.

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List of councils

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Training of trainers workshops

The Botswana model for cascading the COEs

Objectives of the training of trainers

• To provide background on the Centres of Excellence in gender mainstreaming process in Botswana and the model of cascading the COE process
• To build the capacity of the district gender officers, gender focal persons and gender champions on the COE model in light of their roles in the cascading process
• To develop innovative strategies for putting across key concepts on how to run workshops
• To share and build the capacity of the district gender officers, gender focal persons and gender champions on the monitoring and evaluation tools of GL that are used at each stage
• To understand the role of the Media COE country facilitator at stage seven and eight of the local government COE model
• To share the current COE training manual with participants
• To share information and ideas on topical issues relevant to the local government contexts
• GL, together with the district officers, gender focal persons and gender champions of their respective councils come with a plan to roll out each stage for their respective councils (these plans to be recorded and filed by GL and the councils)
• To create a platform of learning between GL and district officers who have co-facilitated workshops previously
• To strengthen networking on gender mainstreaming with the local authorities and the Women’s Affairs Department as the coordinating gender machinery
• To explain the role of the Women’s Affairs Department and gender frameworks.

The Gender Affairs Department through the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs funded this training. Through this training the councils are working closely with genders officer in the districts and plan campaigns together. Every quarter we hold collective briefings for government and Gender Links to discuss the progress regarding Centres of Excellence Programme. We have planned another training this year to evaluate progress made since last year’s training of trainers.

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COE Verification

In 2012, Gender Links undertook its annual verification process. This process is part of the monitoring and evaluation exercise (also known as the stage 9 in the Centre Of Excellence 10 stage process) done by the organization to assess how the councils that are in the COE process are progressing in terms of mainstreaming gender in policies which will result in good service delivery. Councils underwent the verification process.

GL compiled institutional profiles of all the Councils (see example below). The full set of institutional profiles can be found in the summit document that accompanies this report. Progress in each council and supporting documents can be found on GL website.

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SADC Gender Protocol@Work  Summit

The Botswana SADC Gender Protocol@work Summit was held from 26-27 March 2013 at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone. Under the banner “2015, Yes we Must! The SADC Gender Protocol @ WorkÀ the Summit brought together more than 150 participants from local government authorities, the media, NGOs, Community Based Organisations and Faith Based Organisations and representatives of government. The Summit featured 60 entries in a variety of categories, including Gender Based Violence and Conflict Resolution, Sexual and Reproductive Rights and HIV/AIDS, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Institutional Centres of Excellence (COEs) and Leadership.

Quick facts for the summit:

• The Botswana SADC Protocol @work Summit brought together 180 participants, 53 men and 127 women from local government institutions, media, government and civil society organisations
• 50 entries were made by 39 women and 11 men, in 16 different categories
• Amongst the winning presenters were 14 women and 2 men
• The Summit was attended by amongst others representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, the Honourable Minister Edwin Batshu, 2 Deputy Permanent Secretaries and the Director of the Women’s Affairs Department Valencia Mogegeh, the Attorney General Athalia Molokomme and Head of the SADC Gender Unit, Magdeline Madibela
• 19 Local Councils were represented, amongst them Honourable Mayors, Councillors, Council Secretaries and staff. The summit also hosted non-governmental organisations, faith based organisations, representatives from the Botswana Police Stations amongst others
• 5 Media houses from the Centres of Excellence programme were represented

On the evening of 27 March 2013, Gender Links Botswana, the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) and the Alliance awarded 14 winners at a colourful gala dinner at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone. Honourable Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Minister Edwin Batshu congratulated all the participants in a statement at the gala dinner. The Minister acknowledged the commitment and hard work to achieve gender equality that is evident in Bostwana. Giving the vote of thanks, Keabonye Ntsabane applauded BALA for the continued partnership, the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs for both financial and human resources and support.

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Mr. Jenamiso Batshu, Attorney General Dr. Athaliah Molokomme, Permanent Secretary of Labour and Home Affairs Mr. Ikwatlhaeng Bagopi, UNFPA Assistant Representative Mrs. Mareledi Segotso and Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy Mr. John Warner presented the awards.

Participants

Analysis of participants

The participants in the summit included members of the council from the 19 local councils, as well as representatives of community based organisations. The councils formed a large group as partners in the Centres of Excellence on Gender and Local Government Mainstreaming. Women were the majority of participants at the summit make up 70% of participants; only 30% of the participants were men. Also amongst the presenters more women than men were represented, with 78% women and 22% men respectively.

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Emerging evidence of impact

Progress in implementation:

At least 50 percent of COEs have been able to commemorate 16 Days of Action. The councils have formed gender task forces which were not there before the CEO project. The task forces were able to attend training of trainers workshops with their administrators to ensure that they also understand the COE process as supervisors. The training of trainers has strengthened the networking with councils and Gender Affairs Unit. There is a strong link, as councils participate during international commemorations. Some of the councils, for example Lobatse Town Council have a budget for their plan and an income generating project. Selibe Phikwe has adopted the plan in a full council meeting, conducted a stage 3 workshop and compiled a report.

Change reflected in programmes: Projects showcased as summit entries show the extent to which councils are mainstreaming gender in their programmes À“ see examples below:

Gender in council budgets: Most of the councils have no specific budget but mainstream gender in the already existing programmes. Other councils have mainstreamed the plan in the strategic plans.

Gender structures established in all COEs: Emerging gender structures include Gender champions and Gender Steering Committee forming gender committees and feeding back to council committees. Councils are also backed by gender champions who are female councillors, and have staff interfacing with people on the ground.

Gender responsive governance: The overall impact of the COE process is to deliver gender responsive governance, as illustrated in the profile below.

Next steps

• Local Action to end GBV – GBV indicators at the local level

Through the partnership between Gender Links, WAD and BALA, it was agreed that the local research be cascaded to the district level in 2013. The cascading process will include facilitation of community mobilisation on a local level and interviewing a representative sample at district level to collect more in-depth information on the extent of GBV at community level. Cascading of Gender based Violence in the ten councils.

Entrepreneurship Training

Without economic empowerment women will continue to be slaves of gender Based violence . Therefore Gender links find it appropriate to involve women in 5 councils this year and while next year we engage other 5 councils

Outputs

• Baseline data of GBV extent causes, effects, response, support and prevention in nine districts of Botswana
• Research reports detailing the GBV Indicators survey findings for the 16 districts of Botswana.
• One final synthesis research report of measuring GBV at local level in Botswana.

Outcomes

The key outcome of this project will be the reduction of GBV in communities through supporting local councils with strategies and lessons learned to effectively implement adequately resourced local action plans that place an emphasis on prevention. The research has alarmed the government on status of GBV in the country and the cabinet appreciate the study. Government recommended cascading with selected councils. Recently the American Embassy funded Gender Links money to reprint the research, and we have so far held an event in which all the media in the country were provided with 40 books.

• Documentary on the COE process À“

Through the COE programme, Gender Links was able to produce a CD on gender based violence in which COE champions and council administrators speak loudly about the COE programme and types of GBV in their respective councils. The COE process is one of the activities that received media coverage, and reached out to grassroots people on gender. Councils are now confident to speak about their experiences of violence in their area. During the summit they were able to share cases in their area and the solutions they have.

Download : Gender in local government Botswana report
Download : Analysis of COE gender mainstreaming work