OPUWO – The minister of gender equality, Doreen Sioka, says the government has demonstrated political will to address gender inequality and equity at all levels by enacting several legal instruments on gender equality and women empowerment in the country.
“This commitment started with our late Founding Father of the Nation and Founding President Sam Nujoma, who played an important role in advancing gender equality and women’s emancipation during the liberation struggle and after independence,” she added.
Sioka was speaking during the commemoration of International Women’s Day at Opuwo in Kunene region on Friday. The theme for this year is, ‘For all women and girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment’.
This theme, she said, calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all women and girls where no one is left behind.
However, the minister expressed concern that the number of women graduating from the TVET system has declined from 8 135 in 2019 to 4 055 in 2022. She said this is an indication that there is a need to strengthen the empowerment of women in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by adopting special measures to increase their uptake and completion of TVET courses in this male-dominated trade and STEM fields.
Sioka stressed there is a need to facilitate equal and equitable access to land and funding for women, men, youth, people with disabilities and marginalised communities.
“We should enhance the capacity of women to participate in trade competitively and profitably through capacity-building, funding support, market linkages, learning visits and improved access to information and technology participation,” she said.
The minister highlighted that government has put in place measures to ensure equal work and equal remuneration for both men and women, as provided for in the Labour Act No. 11 of 2007,which prohibits discrimination in employment based on sex.Sioka also revealed that with regards to gender equality in politics and decision-making, Namibia is ranked number four in Africa, with 44.2% women representation in Parliament.
She added that it is also worth noting that women hold high Cabinet positions such as prime minister, deputy speaker of the National Assembly and ministers of justice and information.
“This is an achievement worth celebrating. There is a need to strengthen the provision of the Electoral Law to compel all political parties to implement a quota of the 50% target to avoid the risks of regression after elections,” she said.
Sioka congratulated president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who will be inaugurated as the first female president of the country on 21 March 2025. Also speaking at the event, Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Elias Mutota, said the presence of women in law enforcement strengthens the ability to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child protection and community policing in an inclusive, compassionate and effective manner. “Our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring that the Namibian Police is an institution where women are respected, given equal opportunities and empowered to take up leadership roles. We take pride in the growing number of women who have excelled within our ranks, proving beyond doubt that they are capable, resilient and committed to serving our nation,” he added.