Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for renewed commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as Namibia joined the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day.
In her message marking the day, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the commemoration serves both as a celebration of the achievements of women and a reminder that more work is needed to remove barriers that limit their full participation in society.
This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” highlights the need for collective efforts to advance women’s rights and promote equality.
The President said that while the world has made significant progress in expanding opportunities for women, many still face obstacles that hinder their access to education, leadership and economic opportunities.
Reflecting on Namibia’s progress since independence, she said that the country has taken meaningful steps to promote gender equality and ensure women play an active role in national development across sectors such as government, business, agriculture and education.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also referred to the historic commitments made during the Fourth World Conference on Women, where the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted, describing it as a milestone in the global movement for gender equality.
She said Namibia remains committed to the spirit of these commitments as the country continues to expand opportunities for women and girls.
The President further encouraged young women and girls to pursue their ambitions with confidence, saying their aspirations should not be limited by gender.
“At present-day Namibia, you can become whatever you aspire to be,” she said, encouraging girls to make use of the opportunities created through decades of advocacy for women’s rights.
However, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged that challenges such as gender-based violence, economic inequalities and harmful social attitudes continue to affect many women and girls.
She stressed that addressing these issues requires cooperation between government, civil society, traditional leaders, the private sector and communities.
The President also called for the involvement of boys and men in promoting gender equality, saying building a just society requires raising young men who respect and support the rights and aspirations of women and girls.
“Empowering women and girls is not only a matter of fairness and dignity, but also essential for the growth and prosperity of our nation,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded by urging Namibians to remain committed to building a society where equality, opportunity and justice are realities for all women and girls.
