Stepping up the 50/50–lessons from SADC, Zimbabwe case study

Structure of presentation Why do we need women in politics? Why do we have such variation in performance in SADC? How can we learn from each other – we have all the answers! Case study – SADC Gender and Elections Mission to Zimbabwe How can this be applied? Some opportunities

Thenjiwe Mtintso’s framework ACCESS TRANSFORMATION PARTICIPATION Personal Internal Services

Women in politics SADC 2019

What is keeping women out of politics? Can’t be what you can’t see FORMAL FACTORS INFORMAL FACTORS Electoral systems Socialisation, attitudes Quotas Custom, culture, tradition Finances and resources Old boys network The media Others?

SADC – the simple facts Electoral system Overall % Women With quota % women Without quota % W FPTP 13% 15% PR 38% 36% MIXED 34% 37% 23% OVERALL 26% 16% Electoral systems matter Special (Temporary) Measures are crucial

Zimbabwe – three elections Quota – expiring 2023 No quota

SADC Elections Mission

Electoral system – FPTP (winner takes all) 00000 000 00 0000

Electoral system – PR or list Party A= 10% Party B = 30% Party C = 20% Party D = 40% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mixed system – PR and FPTP PARTY A PARTY B PARTY C PARTY D 1 2 3 00000 000 00 0000

Pros and cons – no perfect system! ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES GENDER CONSIDERATIONS FPTP Good for accountability Winner takes all is not good for inclusion Women especially excluded – lack funds and networks PR Good for inclusion Weak on accountability – vote for a party, not a candidate When combined with voluntary or legislated quota results in rapid increase in women’s participation Mixed Includes the best of both worlds PR candidates are regarded as token If the PR candidates happen to be women (e.g national level in Zimbabwe) this adds to the notion of tokenism

Options – FPTP QUOTA EXAMPLE PROS CONS Voluntary Party Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe Accountability, party ownership Slow results for women Reserved candidates Mauritius (Gender neutral) Wide acceptance Only delivers results if there is corresponding advocacy Reserved seats Lesotho local (2005) Guarantees the quota; women can compete in general May be seen as discriminatory against men

Options – Mixed QUOTA EXAMPLE PROS CONS PR women only Zimbabwe national, Tanzania, Lesotho local Guarantees the quota; does not infringe the rights of male candidates Women who come in on PR may be seen as “token” Quota for women in PR seats Lesotho national Ensures maximum advantage for women in PR seats Does not deliver good overall results, if FPTP is 50% or more Voluntary South Africa local Party ownership and buy-in Women do better in PR than FPTP seats although this is improving

SA Mixed System at local Year % Women Ward (FPTP) % Women PR % Women overall 1995 11% 28% 19% 2000 17% 38% 29% 2006 37% 42% 40% 2011 33% 43% 2016 48% 41%

PR Options QUOTA EXAMPLE PROS CONS Legislated Namibia local Delivers excellent results Zimbabwe may not change its entire system in the time available. In Namibia some feel that PR is not best system at the local level due to the need for accountability. Voluntary Namibia national SA National Party ownership of the zebra system Women’s representation is at the w him of parties – Motion for legislated Quota

Observations FPTP with no quotas has not worked (see results at local) Mixed system with PR seats for women only (current quota at national) not necessarily the best = guard against more of the same and extending this to local. Total shift to PR is unlikely Better to avoid reserved seats

Recommendations National Go for mixed system (already have one!) 50% candidate quota for PR and FPTP seats Guaranteed results in PR, improved results FPTP Local Mixed system may not work 50% candidate quota Concerted advocacy campaign with political parties, general public Recom study visit to Mauritius - 2015 ZEC – to monitor for adherence

Group work FPTP PR Mixed Botswana Angola Lesotho Malawi Mozambique Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Namibia Mauritius South Africa Seychelles Madagascar Eswatini

COUNTRY 50/50 Strategy

Facts Local Gvt Upper House Lower House Electoral system Quota – Constitutional, legislated, voluntary Last election % women Next election

Strategy – local government

Strategy – national

Lessons from SADC countries

Partners/funders

Way forward Gender audits of upcoming elections – evidence Evidence should inform strategy Study visits Position papers Start early!! Use the Alliance network? UN Women audit of laws in East and Southern Africa – Moz, Zambia, Zim