Staff Reporter
VICE PRESIDENT Lucia Witbooi has urged the Ondiri Peer Group in the Kunene Region to expand its support for women, develop sustainable income-generating projects and create greater opportunities for women from marginalised communities and people living with disabilities.
Witbooi made the call on Friday during the Ondiri General Assembly at Ovinjange Village in the Kunene Region, held under the theme “Women are the Pillars of Hope in our Communities”.
She said women-led platforms such as the Ondiri Peer Group provide important spaces for mentorship, solidarity, knowledge-sharing and addressing challenges affecting women and girls.
Photos: Vice President of Namibia
“Government strongly supports initiatives which advocate for women empowerment, as this is one of the most effective tools for national advancement,” Witbooi said.
She said economic exclusion, systemic barriers and social inequality continue to prevent many women and girls from reaching their full potential, adding that Government intervention alone was not enough to address these challenges.
Witbooi called on women to work together and use peer networks as a bridge towards greater advancement and economic emancipation.
She said the Ondiri Peer Group, which was established in 2002 by a group of young girls, had expanded its support to women in the region through financial assistance, counselling and care for vulnerable members of society.
Witbooi welcomed the involvement of members from marginalised communities and encouraged the group to expand its services and employ more women, particularly from marginalised communities and among people living with disabilities.
“In Namibia, we live on the motto of inclusivity. Therefore, in all our planning and engagements, let us always ensure that no one feels left out as we move forward towards advancing the rights of women and young girls, including those with disabilities and the marginalised,” she said.
Witbooi said the theme of the assembly highlighted the importance of women in the development of families, communities and the country.
She encouraged the Ondiri Peer Group to become a source of hope and support for young women in the Kunene Region and beyond, while continuing to strengthen its network.
“Let your collaborations spark new ventures, and let your collective voice sound even louder in the halls of decision-making,” she said.
Witbooi further urged the group to develop sustainable projects that can improve women’s economic independence, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
She encouraged members to establish self-generating projects to strengthen the group’s economic sustainability.
She said the group’s unity, resilience and collective experience could help create an environment in which women are able to realise their full potential.
Witbooi urged members to use the general assembly to plan, deliberate and strengthen the organisation so that it could continue serving as a source of support for women in the region and across Namibia.
