Beyond the Numbers: Does a High Number of Women in Political Corridors Translate into Delivery of Sustainable Development Goals 5 on Gender Equality and 16 on Peace and Security in the SADC Region?

Abstract

There is still widespread relegation of women to lower and traditionally feminine areas of political responsibility at most SADC national parliaments. This briefing explores the question of whether, and in what ways, women's presence in politics contributes to the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) socio-economic and political stability and to the security of the SADC region. It builds upon an analysis of the legal and policy framework on affirmative action in politics and a record of the gender distribution of parliamentarians in three SADC member states. The ruling parties of Namibia and South Africa have adopted affirmative action policies aimed at a more equitable gender balance, including what is called 'ZEBRA' listing, where men and women are placed alternately in electoral candidate lists, while Zimbabwe has amended its constitution to cater for gender equality in political governance. Member states should be urged to achieve gender parity in political...