ANAMULENGE – The Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, says it is important for people to remain committed to building a Namibia where no woman or child lives in fear of violence, where education and health are accessible to all, and where poverty is replaced with prosperity and dignity.
“Let us work together to ensure equality is not just a constitutional principle but a daily reality in every household, in every school, and in every workplace,” she said.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was speaking during the national conference and the 25th anniversary of the Namibia Catholic Women and Movement held on Saturday at Anamulenge village in the Omusati region.
She stressed that this anniversary calls people to reflect not only on the achievements of the movement but also on the values that have guided women since its establishment.
“From the very beginning, you have been driven by a noble mandate: to empower women and men alike, to combat gender-based violence, to advance gender equality, to provide skills and training for sustainable livelihoods, and to foster peaceful coexistence in our communities. That mandate has made your movement not just a faith-based organization, but also a vital development partner for our nation.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged the work of the Catholic Women Movement as a continuation of that legacy.
“You may not carry arms, but you carry compassion. You may not fight battles on the battlefield, but you fight them in the home, in the classroom, in the clinic, and in the community hall. You are heroes in your own right, advancing the cause of dignity and justice with every life you uplift.
By empowering women and men, you are honouring the sacrifices of our national heroes and heroines, and carrying forward their torch of hope,” she emphasized.
She further said the government is proud to work with the church, supporting and subsidising church schools and hospitals.
In addition, she said this is not simply a gesture of goodwill, but it is a recognition of the indispensable role the church continues to play in delivering essential services and uplifting communities.
“We also remember with humility and admiration the moral courage of church leaders during the darkest days of Namibia’s history.
The bishops’ petition against colonial rule and human rights violations was not only an act of faith; it was an act of resistance, a clear voice of justice in a time of oppression. It showed us that the church is not a passive observer of society, but an active force for justice, dignity, and freedom. That same moral leadership lives on in the work of the Namibian Catholic Women Movement today.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said beyond legislation, the Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy (2025-2035), provides a clear roadmap for mainstreaming gender equality across all sectors.