The Women Deliver Conference 2023 which recently took place in Rwanda, Kigali provided an extraordinary platform for young voices of Namibia to take centre stage, forging a path towards gender equality and breaking barriers.
A Namibian delegation led by Gift Malunga, Frieda Stefanus, Joyce Waandja, and Junias David showcased their firm commitment to youth empowerment and gender parity.
“It is crucial for women to support each other in these issues because doing all of these cannot happen without the involvement of men. We cannot operate in isolation,” Waandja, #BeFree ambassador said.
She has noticed a trend where women do not support one another when it comes to gender-based violence-related matters especially where “A mother does not believe her daughter when she reports a SGBV incident to her and that creates distrust.”
The conference is one of the largest multi-sectoral convenings to advance gender equality, it convened with about 6 000 people in Kigali and 200 000+ people online through the virtual conference and six-month Global Dialogue leading up to the conference. It also enables inclusive and co-created spaces that foster solidarity for sustainable solutions on gender equality.
Waandja further said via an organisation she is part of called Bridging Through Talent, she feels it is crucial to involve men to get to the bottom of what triggers them to act in such inhumane ways against women.
“If a perpetrator is a male, have a male as part of the panelist to enlighten us why they do what they do. You cannot have a gathering discussing gender issues and you only have two men and 50 women, which makes no sense,” she stated.
Themed ‘Spaces, Solidarity, and Solutions’, the conference brought together advocates from diverse backgrounds, fostering collective action for a better world. Namibia’s youth representatives championed sustainable solutions for girls and women, celebrating their unique identities and contributions.
“At the conference, I learned that some countries still follow old beliefs where men have more power than women. I met people from those countries who had to attend secretly because their governments don’t support gender equality,” David told Youth Corner.
He highlighted the conference’s strong unity in fighting for gender equality and advocating for the inclusion of people living with disabilities and hope that the discussions held at the conference would lead to concrete actions in Namibia, especially in reaching out to youths in areas with poor network coverage, as they often feel left out.
He said: “I applaud the conference for including both men and women, believing that discussions about gender equality should involve everyone. I believe when all genders come together, we can achieve more than just gender equality.”
Globally, young people are at the forefront of social change, leading the way toward a more gender-equal world. They are largely cautioned and encouraged to speak up as through this, challenging norms, innovating, collaborating, and influencing decision-makers to take action, they are driving visionary change in their communities, countries, and around the world.
First Lady Monica Geingos, commended the country’s notable youth inclusion in decision-making processes, giving reference to ICT deputy minister Emma Theofelus, the youngest minister in Namibia’s history. Geingos advised the conference attendees to focus on understanding people’s perspectives and offering support in their battles.
The Women Deliver Conference 2023 became a beacon of hope, showcasing the dedication of Namibia’s youth representatives to building a brighter, more inclusive future.
Their mission resonates globally, as they uplift women and empower young minds, fuelling a resilient and diverse gender equality movement worldwide. The determination and passion displayed by the Namibian youth serve as a powerful reminder that youth power knows no bounds.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na