Will more women enter Parliament?

The four winners are virtually assured of entering Parliament because they are standing in traditional BDP strongholds. They are Education Minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi in Serowe South; Assistant Minister, Botlogile Tshireletso in Mahalapye-East; Trade Minister, Dorcas Makgato-Malesu in Tswapong South and former DC, Silvia Muzila in Francistown South. More women are expected to be in the 2014 fray as the BDP and opposition parties complete their primaries. The BDP primaries north of Dibete have set a record with four women emerging victorious. This raises hope that the number of elected women MPs in Botswana may be higher than the record five in the 1999-2004 Parliament.

Currently there are only two elected women in Parliament, Venson-Moitoi and Tshireletso while Dr Gloria Somolekae and Makgato-Malesu are nominated. Somolekae is the only female candidate to lose in the BDP primaries after her setback in Mmadinare.