The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, said the ministry is actively making efforts to support women through various programmes such as income-generating activities and capacity-building initiatives.

The minister said that the government has embraced gender mainstreaming across all sectors by ensuring gender issues are integrated into policies and programmes to promote equity and inclusion.

"We have specific programmes that include women in politics mentoring, mentorship and coaching, and the Women in Business Association, which is a SADC framework that Namibia has adopted, being a member state, and the Women in Business Associate Strategy is aimed at strengthening women entrepreneurs through training, awareness campaigns and networking."

The ministry has also increased maternity leave from 12 weeks to 14 weeks for improved maternal care, with full remuneration.

"It was approved that the government will top up the difference between the employees' salary and statutory maternity leave benefits, ensuring that women receive their full remuneration during maternity leave. This top-up is facilitated through the revised public service staff rules, which now explicitly incorporate these benefits."

The ministry also conducted workshops, seminars and campaigns aimed at empowering women with negotiation skills, awareness of their rights and the importance of workplace accommodations.