Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Helen P. Manyeneng, has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States to intensify efforts toward ensuring equal and equitable representation of women in politics and decision-making structures. Her remarks were delivered during the official opening of the 57th SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Plenary Assembly Session held yesterday in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. Manyeneng emphasized that meaningful gender equality remains a cornerstone of sustainable development, inclusive governance, and social justice across the region. She urged Member States to take practical steps in line with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and other international commitments to women’s empowerment.
“In achieving the aspirations of the SADC Protocol and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we must move beyond rhetoric to real action. Advocacy for the full, equal, and effective participation of women in all spheres of political life is not only necessary—it is long overdue,” she said.
Hon. Manyeneng expressed concern over the underrepresentation of women in legislative and executive positions within many Member States, stating that true democracy can only be achieved when all voices are equally represented.
“We must challenge the structural and cultural barriers that continue to exclude women from the decision-making table. Our parliaments, political parties, and public institutions must be deliberate in creating space for women leaders to thrive,” she asserted.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the need for Member States to implement and enforce gender quotas, support women candidates, and create gender-sensitive electoral and governance frameworks. She also encouraged collaboration between parliaments, civil society, and regional bodies to monitor progress and hold stakeholders accountable.
The 57th SADC-PF Plenary Assembly Session gathered parliamentarians, gender activists, and policymakers from across the region to deliberate on pressing regional challenges, with gender equality and women’s political empowerment high on the agenda.
Hon. Manyeneng’s strong advocacy reflects Botswana’s ongoing commitment to gender parity in leadership and echoes a wider regional push to advance women’s rights in governance.
Her call to action serves as a timely reminder that equitable development in Southern Africa hinges on inclusive policies that recognize the invaluable contributions of women in shaping the region’s political and social landscape.
