The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW), Emma Kantema, and the UN Director for Women in the East and Southern Africa Region, Anna Mutavati, met on how to strengthen UN Women's operational presence in Southern Africa.
The aim was also to reinforce collaboration between Namibia and UN Women on advancing gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives in the region.
Dr Emma Kantema says there is still a gender gap when it comes to economic empowerment and issues of gender-based violence that need attention.
She recognised the role initiatives such as UN Women EntrepreHer play in empowering women in fighting gender-based violence (GBV).
The programme empowers women entrepreneurs globally through targeted initiatives, including training and connecting women-led micro-enterprises to foster sustainable economic growth and improve market access.
"We have seen a growth and the impact that it has had in our country. When you look back at the journey when Entrepreher started as a pilot study in 2017 and is now transitioning into that flagship programme, supporting women microentrepreneurs and building sustainable livelihoods," Dr Kantema informed.
She also notes that this initiative speaks directly to the core mandate of the ministry and strengthens women's business skills.
"We have seen a number of women that have received training, more specifically in the areas of digital literacy, to see how it then assists them to ensure that their businesses are thriving."
The UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, commended Namibia for closing the gender gap.
"Namibia has closed, I think, 81% of the gender gaps, so it's really massive, right? Really massive. So that makes you number one on the continent and number 8 globally, right? So that's not a mean feat, and we really look up to you to then show the rest of the world."
Mutavati says partnerships are needed to drive equality and equal opportunities.
"I think to congratulate your government, seeing a government has been there and Madam President's leadership but has already achieved a lot because you hosted the entire continent when we were doing the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, again demonstrating that brave, courageous leadership but also the inspiration for peace for Africa."
UN Women EntrepreHer has benefited 1485 women since its inception in 2017.
The EntreprenHer is set to accelerate woman-owned micro-enterprises.