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

2. 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

3. Thenjiwe Mtintso’s framework
ACCESS
TRANSFORMATION
PARTICIPATION
Personal
Internal
Services

4. Women in politics SADC 2019

5. 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?

6. 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

7. Zimbabwe – three elections
Quota – expiring 2023
No quota

8. SADC Elections Mission

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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%

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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
ZEC – to monitor for adherence

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

20. COUNTRY
50/50 Strategy

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

22. Strategy – local government

23. Strategy – national

24. Lessons from SADC countries

25. Partners/funders

26. 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