Behind well crafted policies, a hidden reality is saddening
Gender inequity and the underrepresentation of women in politics is indeed a pressing issue in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. While policies may exist to promote gender equality, the reality reveals a less promising picture. Well, let us delve into a contextual analysis of this issue. To begin, it is important to acknowledge that gender inequality is deeply rooted in historical and cultural norms within the SADC countries. Traditional gender roles, societal expectations, and biases pose significant barriers to women's active participation in politics. Deep-seated patriarchal systems perpetuate the notion that men are better suited for leadership positions, while women are often confined to domestic roles and seen as less capable in the public sphere. Despite regional commitments and international conventions promoting gender equality, progress in increasing women's political representation has been relatively slow in most SADC countries. A variety of