80% of gender-specific gaps closed, PM says
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said this week at the seventh session of the high-level advisory committee on gender equality, which took place in Windhoek, that Namibia has closed at least 80.2% of its gender-specific gaps. This achievement has led to Namibia being ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa and eighth globally, according to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index report.
These improvements affected the following areas: education, economic participation and opportunity, political empowerment and health. Namibia has achieved full equality in the sub-indices of health and survival as well as in educational attainment.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called for a cross-sectoral approach that guarantees a dignified life for all Namibians and ensures that no one is left behind. She further emphasised that better coordination and implementation of strategies are needed to ensure the successful implementation of government policies on gender equality and poverty eradication.
Namibia has made significant progress in promoting gender equality, but challenges remain for women in the mining sector, especially in terms of access to funding and resources. She also emphasised the need for policies that empower women, promote their education and, most importantly, ensure their access to financial resources.
Big gaps in mining
Nedbank Namibia managing director Martha Murorua said the recent oil and gas discoveries off the coast of Namibia, as well as the development of green hydrogen projects, offer exciting opportunities for women to engage in emerging sectors.
To take advantage of these prospects, it is important to provide women with the necessary education, resources and financial means, enabling them to take on key roles, she said.
"As the oil and gas sector expands, we must ensure that women are at the forefront – whether in technical roles, decision-making positions or entrepreneurial ventures that support this industry."
Statistics show that only 18% of employees in the mining industry in Namibia are women and only 10% of them hold leadership positions.
These improvements affected the following areas: education, economic participation and opportunity, political empowerment and health. Namibia has achieved full equality in the sub-indices of health and survival as well as in educational attainment.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called for a cross-sectoral approach that guarantees a dignified life for all Namibians and ensures that no one is left behind. She further emphasised that better coordination and implementation of strategies are needed to ensure the successful implementation of government policies on gender equality and poverty eradication.
Namibia has made significant progress in promoting gender equality, but challenges remain for women in the mining sector, especially in terms of access to funding and resources. She also emphasised the need for policies that empower women, promote their education and, most importantly, ensure their access to financial resources.
Big gaps in mining
Nedbank Namibia managing director Martha Murorua said the recent oil and gas discoveries off the coast of Namibia, as well as the development of green hydrogen projects, offer exciting opportunities for women to engage in emerging sectors.
To take advantage of these prospects, it is important to provide women with the necessary education, resources and financial means, enabling them to take on key roles, she said.
"As the oil and gas sector expands, we must ensure that women are at the forefront – whether in technical roles, decision-making positions or entrepreneurial ventures that support this industry."
Statistics show that only 18% of employees in the mining industry in Namibia are women and only 10% of them hold leadership positions.
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