By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK A Namibian drawing competition on Gender Equality was formally launched yesterday, Wednesday, by the Minister of Education at the Delta Primary School. All primary schools in the country are eligible to take part in the Art competition for which the closing date for entries is May 1. “Since the creation of the European Economic Community in 1957, the principle of equal treatment between women and men has been an integral part of the EC Treaty. The gender equality is incorporated in all policies of the European Union. Yet, even after 50 years gender equality is still an issue,” said the EU Ambassador to Namibia, Elisabeth Pape, the guest speaker at the launch. Minister Nangolo Mbumba encourages all Namibian primary school learners between the ages of 8 and 10 years to take part in the competition. “Who knows, a Namibian learner could become the ultimate winner of the competition aimed at Africa, the Caribbean, Pacific, Latin America, Asia and the Mediterranean region. After all, the European Commission is our country’s largest financier in education,” said Mbumba in his short speech. According to the EC, a jury will select the ten best drawings in Namibia, which will be sent to Brussels for final adjudication. For further details on the competition the European Union can be contacted in the capital.