Grey Literature on Women and Gender in Botswana

Abstract

Discusses the activities of the National Institute of Development Research and Documentation (NIR) in Botswana regarding the collection and dissemination of grey literature on women and gender issues. Defines grey literature (GL). Presents the status of women in Botswana. Describes efforts and mechanisms by government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to address women’s issues. Describes the NIR, its Gender Research Programme and its networking activities with women’s NGOs and how this contributes to women’s upliftment. Outlines the activities involved in collecting GL on women and gender issues, and describes the collection on women and gender issues at the NIR documentation unit and the acquisition strategies employed. Identifies problems of identifying and collecting GL and the strategies NIR employs to overcome these problems. Indicates how the GL collected is publicized and access to it provided. Concludes by suggesting ways and means the NIR documentation unit should employ in order to collect and disseminate GL on women and gender issues more effectively, and the impact that this will have.