ESWATINI SHOWS BOTSWANA THE WAY ON WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION

By Tlalane Dlamini

GABORONE, BOTSWANA – Eswatini Senator Dr Linda Nxumalo has urged Botswana to consider a blended electoral approach that preserves constituency-based elections while introducing measures to ensure women are fairly represented in Parliament.

Dr Nxumalo, Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC), made the call during the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) Lobbying and Advocacy Mission to Botswana, held from October 18 to 23, 2026.

The mission seeks to accelerate the ratification, domestication and implementation of the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, with a particular focus on advancing women’s political representation and participation in decision-making.

The delegation was led by SADC PF Vice President Hon. Sylvia Lucas-Izaks and included former Inter-Parliamentary Union President Dr Tulia Ackson and Senator Nxumalo.

BOTSWANA FACES REPRESENTATION CHALLENGE

Botswana has the lowest proportion of women parliamentarians in the SADC region, with women accounting for just 8.6% of parliamentarians in 2025, down from 9.9% in 2024.

During the mission, Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse revealed that only six women currently serve in Botswana’s National Assembly, four of whom are Cabinet members.

In comparison, South Africa leads the region with 43% women’s representation, while Eswatini stands at 28%.

Against this backdrop, Senator Nxumalo presented Eswatini’s constitutional framework as a practical reference point, emphasising that her intention was not to prescribe a single model for Botswana, but to share lessons from the Kingdom’s experience.

ESWATINI’S CONSTITUTIONAL APPROACH

Senator Nxumalo explained that Eswatini combines the first-past-the-post electoral system with constitutional provisions designed to strengthen women’s representation in Parliament.

Under the Constitution, if women would constitute less than 30% of Parliament following a general election, the House of Assembly may elect up to four additional women on a regional basis.

The Constitution also provides that at least half of the members of the House of Assembly nominated by His Majesty the King must be women. Similarly, at least half of the senators elected by the House of Assembly must be women.

She emphasised that constitutional principles of equality and equal opportunity provide a foundation for translating gender equality from a general aspiration into practical action.

A CALL FOR ELECTORAL REFORM

Drawing on regional experiences, Senator Nxumalo noted that countries employing proportional representation, reserved seats, legislated quotas and party-list requirements generally achieve stronger levels of women’s representation than those relying exclusively on constituency-based elections.

She cautioned that electoral systems without corrective measures can perpetuate barriers that prevent women from entering Parliament.

Senator Nxumalo encouraged Botswana to consider the provisions of Articles 12 and 13 of the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, alongside the SADC PF Model Law on Elections and the Forum’s Gender Equality and Women Advancement Policy.

She said possible measures could include regional representation mechanisms, reserved seats, enforceable gender quotas or party-list requirements, depending on Botswana’s constitutional framework and national priorities.

She stressed that any reforms should be developed through inclusive national consultations to ensure they respond to the country’s unique political and constitutional context.

BEYOND NUMBERS

Senator Nxumalo emphasised that advancing women’s representation goes beyond increasing the number of women in Parliament. It also involves ensuring that women have a meaningful opportunity to shape legislation, hold governments accountable and influence public policy.

She called on political parties, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and women’s movements to strengthen support for women seeking leadership positions.

Such support, she said, should include leadership development, access to campaign resources, mentorship opportunities and protection against intimidation and gender-based violence.

During a courtesy call on the Speaker, Senator Nxumalo further underscored the importance of supportive legislation and policies in achieving meaningful and sustainable improvements in women’s representation.

Speaker Keorapetse expressed hope that Botswana’s ongoing constitutional review would address the persistent underrepresentation of women in Parliament.

The delegation also met with Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, who called for practical interventions that go beyond quotas, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs.

The development of a national implementation roadmap is expected to be one of the key outcomes of the mission, providing a framework for advancing gender equality and strengthening women’s participation in political leadership.

Through its engagement in the mission, Eswatini has contributed its constitutional experience to the broader regional dialogue on ensuring that women have a stronger voice in Parliament and a greater role in shaping the future of their countries.