The Deputy Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Hilma Nicanor, has implored the Namibian Defense Force (NDF) to accelerate efforts that address gender parity within its leadership structure.
Even though there has been a significant improvement in the general promotion of all NDF members, women are still lagging behind, making it difficult for them to participate in decision-making processes.
Nicanor, in her keynote address during the commemoration of International Women's Day at Hanganee Katjipuka Kazeveri Barracks, fired an aiming shot toward the NDF leadership to appoint more females in key strategic positions as their male counterparts.
She further urged women to develop the courage to exhibit their ability to perform duties beyond measure.
"The Namibian Defense Force women's representation in decision-making within the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs is still a challenge. Since the inception of the NDF, only five female brigadier generals have been recorded; two have now retired, and we now only have three. The challenge is on all of us. Hopefully, by the next commemoration, we will talk of a bigger number of women who become brigadier generals in the Namibian Defense Force."
The Namibian Government signed and ratified regional and international instruments aimed at promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
The President of the Pan-African Women's Organization (PAWO), Eunice Iipinge, observed the need to use new tools and approaches that can be used to address the gender digital divide.
"Innovation and technology play a crucial role in advancing gender equality by creating new opportunities for women and girls to access and use digital technologies, build their skills and knowledge, and participate in the digital economy. These aspirations to use innovation and technology for gender equality are central to the Pan African Women's Organization as a mother organization for gender equality and women empowerment on the continent."
Ndeyapo IIpinge, a senior Software Developer within the MoD's Directorate of Information, and Communication Technology describes her task as an enabler that the ministry cannot function without.
"I mean equality for women not just in policies and plans because in organizational policies and plans or structural positions, you find that they are saying, "Okay, this is for women, equality 50/50," but down on the ground, women are not there, so I want to see women in positions of power taking on that role and responsibility."