Women’s Leadership in Focus as Swakopmund Workshop Calls for Greater Representation and Gender-Responsive Policies

Women’s Leadership in Focus as Swakopmund Workshop Calls for Greater Representation and Gender-Responsive Policies. A high-level capacity-building workshop held in Swakopmund has brought renewed attention to the importance of women’s representation in politics and decision-making, with calls for structural reform and stronger support for gender-responsive governance.

Speaking at the event, Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, emphasized that women must create an enabling environment for one another to thrive in leadership. “The participation of women in all spheres of society is essential—not only for fairness, but to fully leverage the skills and potential of all citizens,” she said

Organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the workshop aimed to enhance women’s understanding of democratic processes and leadership through peer learning and exchange of best practices.

Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Hon. Emma Kantema, highlighted the unique challenges women face in governance. “Spaces like this workshop are essential to empower women to develop and advocate for policies that reflect their lived realities,” she said.

Despite Namibia’s notable female leadership—including its first female President and Vice President—women’s representation in Parliament has dropped from 53.2% in 2024 to 38 out of 104 seats, prompting concern from participants. Kantema stressed the need for mechanisms like zebra-listing systems within political parties to promote balanced representation.

The workshop also focused on Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) as a strategic tool for inclusive governance. “GRPB is not just a technical approach—it is a catalyst for equitable development,” Kantema added.