“Botswana is no exception to the norm. In Botswana, all political parties experience perpetual patterns of inequality amongst women,” he told Mmegi this week. Women are at the tail end of civic and political participation.
Mfundisi said the situation is exacerbated by socio-economic and cultural barriers, which disadvantage women from competing with men on a level playing landscape. He conceded that there are fewer women in Botswana elected to political office, be it in Cabinet, Parliament, and Local Government. It is a given that women participation in electoral politics as voters is significant but insignificant in terms of being elected to political office. The patriarchal culture dominates the political, economic, and social landscape in Botswana. “Women have been relegated to domestic life. Social norms and role expectations coupled with lack of education and resources have been obstacles to women active involvement in civic and political activities. These, amongst other factors, have marginalised women in politics and therefore, incapacitate them to effectively compete for public office,” said the UB lecturer.
