The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, in collaboration with the Automobile Association (AA) of Namibia and the Women in Road Safety Forum (WRSF), held its 5th Women in Road Safety Conference in Windhoek on Monday.

The two-day event, themed "Women at the Wheel: Bridging the Gender Gap in Road Safety," emphasised the concepts of empowerment and active engagement by women in the field of road safety.

The conference highlighted the need to address gender disparities within the sector by promoting women's leadership, representation, and contributions towards enhanced road safety.

The theme also suggests a focus on educating and encouraging both female and male drivers and pedestrians while advocating for equitable opportunities for women in safety roles, from policymaking to law enforcement and civil education.

The MVA Fund revealed that the fatality rate among males stands at a staggering 74%, while 59% of injuries, to date involve males.

Addressing this alarming statistic, the CEO of the MVA Fund, Rosalia Hausiku, emphasised that this is not just a male issue but a community-wide concern that requires collective action.

City of Windhoek Chief Executive Officer Moses Matyayi emphasised the importance of women coming together to demonstrate the shared responsibility and need for collaboration in pursuit of safer roads.

|Khomas Region Governor Laura McLeod stressed the need for a change in attitude on the road, noting that over 70% of road accidents occur in Windhoek.