Namibian Women’s Day, observed on 10 December, serves as a solemn tribute to the courage and resilience demonstrated by Namibian women during the tragic 1959 massacre in Windhoek. On this day, women played a pivotal role in protesting the forced eviction of black communities from the Old Location. Despite violent repression, they remained at the forefront of the resistance, and their contributions to the struggle for justice and equality are indelibly etched in the nation’s history.
This significant day also coincides with International Human Rights Day, underscoring the intersection of gender, human rights, and social justice within Namibia’s historical context.
The observance not only honours the enduring legacy of these women but also serves as a poignant reminder of the continued fight for women’s rights and equality, reinforcing the imperative for ongoing advocacy and progress in the pursuit of gender justice in Namibia. It is imperative that we unequivocally assert the universality of human rights, recognising that gender equality, as a fundamental manifestation of those rights, is equally universal. In this regard, women’s rights are inherently human rights. Our constitution recognises women as a vulnerable group, as outlined in Article 23(3): “In the enactment of legislation and the application of any policies and practices contemplated by [the Constitution], it shall be permissible to have regard to the fact that women in Namibia have traditionally suffered special discrimination and that they need to be encouraged and enabled to play a full, equal, and effective role in the political, social, economic, and cultural life of the nation.”
As such, the constitution has established the framework for gender equality principles in the country, including Article 10, which states: “All persons are equal before the law. No persons may be discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social or economic status,” as well as Article 95(a), which mandates that: “The State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting, inter alia, policies aimed at the following: enactment of legislation to ensure equality of opportunity for women, to enable them to participate fully in all spheres of Namibian society.”
Over the years, much work has been achieved in protecting and implementing these rights for women in Namibia through the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) and other organisations, such as UNFPA, UN sister agencies, civil society organisations, and academia. Despite the progress, significant challenges continue to hinder the advancement of gender equality in programming.
The world recently observed World AIDS Day on 1 December. According to the latest UNAIDS estimates (2023 data, published in the 2024 Global AIDS Report), women have the highest HIV prevalence, estimated at 12.7% (Women aged 15 to 49 HIV prevalence rate), compared to 6.6% (Men aged 15 to 49 HIV prevalence rate). Women are disproportionately affected by HIV due to vulnerabilities deeply rooted in societal and cultural norms. Poverty, gender-based violence (GBV), and restrictive gender norms limit women’s ability to negotiate safe sex practices, including condom use. In many cases, women are not empowered to make decisions about their own bodies or health, leaving them more susceptible to HIV infection.
Although the increase in case records may be partially attributed to women generally exhibiting better health-seeking behaviours than men, such as being more likely to get tested for HIV, especially during Antenatal Care (ANC), factors like economic dependence on partners, limited access to education and employment, and caregiving responsibilities increase women’s vulnerability to HIV.
A formative study conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare in 2017, focusing on child marriage in the Kunene, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West, and Zambezi regions, along with secondary data from the 2013 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), revealed alarming statistics regarding child marriage in Namibia.
The prevalence of child marriage was found to be 18.4% among women and 4.1% among men, highlighting a stark gender disparity that perpetuates gender inequality and infringes upon fundamental human rights, with poverty emerging as a primary risk factor.
The consequences of child marriage are far-reaching, including poor educational outcomes, detrimental health impacts, and exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, all of which rob children of their formative years.
The study further identified that many young individuals who marry early are forced to discontinue their education, which often leads to unemployment and traps them in a cycle of poverty. Additionally, young girls who become pregnant are at heightened risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, further exacerbating the negative outcomes associated with early marriage.
Other key challenges
Poverty and Rural Development: Rural women are disproportionately affected by poverty, with many relying on subsistence farming. Despite government programmes aimed at improving rural livelihoods, women still face barriers to accessing land, credit, and markets.
Education and Training: Gender parity has been achieved in lower education, and women make up half of university students.
However, high dropout rates, particularly among girls due to teenage pregnancy and early marriage, remain a challenge.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Despite strong legal frameworks, GBV remains widespread. Underreporting and cultural stigma continue to hinder victims› access to justice and support.
Media, Information, and Communication: Women’s presence in the media is increasing, but they are still underrepresented in leadership roles and often portrayed through traditional stereotypes. Efforts to improve women’s access to media and communication technologies are underway, but more focus is needed on amplifying women’s voices.
In conclusion, while Namibia has made significant strides in advancing women’s rights, challenges remain in fully achieving gender equality.
Continued efforts are essential to address these barriers and ensure the full realisation of women’s human rights. We should not have to live in a world where women are fighting for their human rights to be recognised and respected.