Botswana News

Botswana:
KB and Roos have now also joined the COE process. They have identified seven councils that they will be working with this quarter (October-December) around the stage one (management and political team meetings) and stage two (situational analyses) activities. They will also be working with these councils on the GBV indicators project and the “I” Stories roll-out.

Official launch of Regional and National SADC Protocol Alliance Barometer in Botswana
The Regional and National Barometer reports were launched in Botswana on the 25th of October at the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone. Speaking during the launch, SADC executive secretary, Dr Tomaz Salomao said the SADC and Botswana gender protocol progress barometer was an important collaboration that the organisation embraced since the monitoring and evaluation remains one of the priorities of SADC necessary to track down progress made by member states in the implementation of the gender commitment. The head SADC Gender Unit, Magdeline Madibela, said they intend to harmonise the implementation of various international and regional gender instruments as well as to deepen regional integration, attain sustainable development and strengthen community building and will make use the barometer report to track progress. The Director of the Women’s Affairs department stated in her vote of thanks that even though Botswana has not yet signed the protocol, she felt encouraged by the words of the SADC Executive Secretary that Botswana is however doing its part.

Centre’s of Excellence with local councils
GL and BALA are currently going back to the local councils where gender action plans were developed to support the council with implementation and develop them into centre’s of excellence in mainstreaming gender. So far collaborations with North West, North East and Francistown City council have started. The councils are also assisting in linking GL to their Social welfare & community development department officers in collaborating on collecting personal testimonies of survivors of gender based violence, and work with them to develop their I Story.

Women’s Caucus in Palapye
Gender Links participated in the Women’s Caucus Conference in Palapye on the 15 & 16th of October, where women politicians from different political parties came together to discuss how to increase women’s participation and representation in politics. During the conference Keabonye Ntsabane shared what the SADC Protocol targets say on governance and shared examples from the region how other countries have used quota’s to increase women’s participation. She also shared the SADC Protocol DVD whereafter the floor was opened for discussion.