Speakers at the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought say women should be empowered to own land and produce food for the nation.

Namibia observed the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought at Usakos, in the Karibib Constituency.

This constituency, together with Daures in the Erongo Region, was hard hit by drought, and in 2019, close to 1,800 families had to rely on drought relief food from the government to survive.

"We experienced one of the longest droughts, stretching over seven years, where most of our farmers lost their cattle and livelihoods, leaving mostly women farmers with little income, while the men went to the urban areas in search of work to sustain the family."

Melania Ndjago, who read a speech on behalf of Erongo Governor Neville Andre, highlighted the need to accelerate the implementation of the second seawater desalination plant and adopt new ways of farming.

Furthermore, Ndjago and others believe women should be empowered to own land because they have a role to play in restoring degraded land and boosting drought resilience.
 
"Investing in women's equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity. The ministry, through the directorate of forestry, has nurseries across the country propagating endemic seedlings, which are donated to communities for fruit and shade. As a result, the majority of Namibian women are involved in fruit tree planting and nursery businesses to generate income for their families. If you don't have one here, please demand it; this is the right time," said Heather Sibingu, Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism.

According to Usakos Mayor Irene Siemon-Kurz, "The theme 'her land, her right' is befitting in this hour because women for long have been denied the right to ownership of land. We, as women, must be catalysts of change, especially when it comes to the acquisition and ownership of land. As women, we need land for cultivation, land for empowerment, and land for the security of tenure."

The Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Ministry donated trees to community members to encourage households to play their part in combating desertification and drought.