Collen Kurana

Namibia is a country founded on democratic principles of justice for all and the rule of law, as stipulated in Article 1 of the Constitution. 

The Namibian constitution further strongly prohibits any kind of discrimination on any ground stipulated in Article 10. The constitution, under Article 23, further goes on to include an affirmative action plan prohibiting racial discrimination as it was a practice in the apartheid colonial regime. 

The affirmative action clause, therefore, favours previously disadvantaged people, such as women, who were denied human and political rights in the past. 

However, after 33 years of independence since 1990, the participation or representation of women in politics at the subnational level (regional and local government) in the Zambezi region is still low. 

Since independence, there have been fewer women who have become constituent councillors in the Zambezi region compared to other regions. It is basic knowledge that people ought to be elected as councillors based on certain merits aspired to by their electorate in constituencies. 

I believe that these qualities, or cardinal virtues, are also found in women. Thus, since the region is highly patriarchal, the participation of women in community discussion is a matter of contestation. 

Issues of gender-based violence or domestic violence, are still common in the region. Women and development in the Zambezi region is another matter that needs political participation and representation. 

These social issues can be better understood and dealt with by having women represented in politics at the local and regional levels as constituent councillors. 

I think that it is time for women in the Zambezi region to engage actively in the politics of the region so that their voices can assist in breaking the glass ceiling obstacles limiting their potential. 

After all, the Namibian government adopted the 50/50 gender representation policy in 2013 to allow women to take centre stage in government positions and public spaces. This to a greater extent reflects the mostly lamented ideal of inclusivity, and no one should feel left behind.

* Collen Kurana is a DPhil student in Peace Studies at Durban University of Technology.