Political women under threat

Chances are that more women will be dropped from decision-making positions after  the on going party primaries and attrition  is expected to further worsen after the 2009 general elections. The women will revert to singers in party choirs, cooks during party conferences and fundraising agents. During Mogae's tenure, there were five women in cabinet. There was a female Deputy Speaker and a ruling party Chief Whip. Botswana had even attained 18 percent women representation in Parliament. This figure was shy of the 30 percent quota but demonstrated a forward march.

With Ian Khama ascending to the presidency, Specially Elected MP, Professor Shiela Tlou lost her position as Minister of Health. Moggie Mbaakanyi, another woman who joined Parliament under the special election, lost her berth as Assistant Minister.