Namibia Launches Africa Educates Her Campaign to Strengthen Girls’ Return to STEM Education

Namibia Launches Africa Educates Her Campaign to Strengthen Girls’ Return to STEM Education. A new chapter for girl focused education in Namibia unfolded on 18 November 2025 as the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture joined forces with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia (FAWENA) to launch the Africa Educates Her Campaign in Windhoek.

The African Union led initiative is designed to support the return of girls to school following the learning disruptions caused by Covid 19 in 2020 and 2021. Across the continent, many girls did not return to the classroom after the pandemic, prompting a coordinated effort to rebuild access, retention and educational outcomes.

Namibia’s contribution to the campaign places a national spotlight on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. By encouraging girls to pursue studies in these areas, the initiative seeks to open pathways into fields where women remain significantly underrepresented.

Launched under the theme “Keep Girls in School, Empower Their Futures,” the event included a panel discussion featuring Namibian women working in various STEM professions. Each speaker shared insights into their own journeys, providing learners with relatable examples of what is possible when girls have the opportunity and support to pursue their interests in these disciplines.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration Knox Otto Imbuwa highlighted the need to strengthen equitable access to quality education for girls and women. He noted that empowering girls through education is not only a moral responsibility but a key contributor to gender equality, economic development and broader social progress.

The launch, held at the After School Center in Grysblock, Katutura, brought together learners from several Windhoek schools, representatives from higher education institutions and officials from both ministries. The campaign now sets the stage for renewed national commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to stay in school and shape her future.