Data collection and analysis remains a challenge for the Government. However steps continue to be taken to strengthen evidence based planning and programme implementation for improved impact. Data collection on male and female representation in various sectors The Draft National Policy on Gender and Development has a dedicated monitoring and evaluation component. The Gender Study of 2013 establishes baseline information on various components of gender and development, necessarily indicating the relative positioning of women. As depicted in the table below, women are under-represented in Parliament and Cabinet. Women in Botswana Parliament and Cabinet7 Parliament Cabinet 2004 Male Female % Female 2009 Male Female % Female 2014 Male Female % Female 55 15 7 5 11 25 58 19 4 4 6.6 17.4 56 19 6 4 8.2 17.4 There are six (6) women in the current Parliament including the Speaker of the National Assembly. Four of the women are Ministers. There are also two female Chiefs. Since our last review, there has been an increase in the representation of women in political decision making; with women making up about 8% in the current Parliament. Local Councils, very much like Parliament, continue to be dominated by men. There are currently 609 Councillors in Botswana out of which 490 are elected and 119 nominated. 87% (427) of the elected Councillors are male and only 13% (63) are female. 61% (73) of the specially nominated Councillors are male and 39% (46) are female8. Trade Unions show a similar trend of male predominance with females accounting for only 20%. Women in the management of NGOs are at 45%. Women Representation in Central Committees of Political Parties, NGOs and Trade Unions 7 See, National Assembly, February 2014. 8 See the List of elected and nominated Councillors (2014-2019 TERM), Ministry of Local Government, February 2015, preamble. 29 | P a g e