Justicia Shipena
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says progress toward gender equality requires action and commitment from society.
Nandi-Ndaitwah was among many leaders who, on International Women’s Day yesterday, called for stronger action to protect the rights of women and girls.
“Progress does not happen by chance. It requires action, determination and the collective will of societies to ensure that women and girls are given the dignity, opportunity and space to contribute fully to the development of our world,” she said during the commemoration of International Women’s Day at Hosea Kutako International Airport on Sunday.
The global event was observed under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia has made progress in advancing women’s leadership.
She also highlighted the appointment of the first female Supreme Court judge, Esi Schimming-Chase and congratulated the Brave Gladiators women’s national football team for winning the COSAFA Cup.
She said Namibia will continue working to ensure that both women and men have equal opportunities in the country’s social and economic development.
Meanwhile, vice president Lucia Witbooi called on churches and communities to take action against gender-based violence and injustice.
“One of the most painful challenges confronting our society today is gender-based violence. This violence shatters families, erodes trust within communities, and undermines the very foundations of peace and dignity,” Witbooi said.
“When violence is inflicted upon another human being, that sacred image is violated. As people of faith, we therefore have a moral obligation to stand firmly against all forms of violence, injustice, and discrimination,” she added.
Witbooi urged churches to continue supporting survivors of violence and to challenge harmful attitudes that contribute to abuse.
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also called for an end to violence and discrimination against women.
“We say no more discrimination, no more violence and no more bloodshed; enough is enough; one life lost is one too many,” she said.
According to the United Nations, women have only 64% of the legal rights that men hold worldwide.
The Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) used the occasion to call for more women to be promoted to leadership positions in newsrooms.
Nampu secretary-general Jemima Beukes said women journalists continue to face barriers in the profession.
“Women journalists are not assistants in this profession; they are talented storytellers, experienced editors, investigators and competent leaders,” Beukes said.
Beukes said women often receive demanding assignments but are overlooked for leadership roles.
Nampu also warned that women journalists face harassment, discrimination and online attacks.
International Women’s Day is observed on 8 March each year to recognise women’s achievements and to highlight issues such as gender equality, women’s rights and violence against women.
