Economic empowerment is crucial for women's advancement.
Therefore, the Secretary General of the UDF Women Council, Dankie Mukuta, urged women to create an enabling environment to thrive in the workforce by promoting equal pay, providing access to credit and resources, and supporting women entrepreneurs.
By doing so, Mukuta says, they not only uplift individual women but also contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the nation.
In her address at the UDF three-day women's regional conference held in Swakopmund, Mukuta said empowerment is the key to unlocking the full potential of women.
She says the conference highlighted women's collective determination to uplift and empower women by recognising their invaluable contribution to the progress and development of the nation.
Mukuta added that women's empowerment is about providing women with the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive in every aspect of their lives.
She says enabling women to take charge of their lives is also about breaking down the barriers that hold women back, giving them the freedom to pursue their dreams, and enabling them to contribute to the betterment of society.
However, she says empowerment is not just about individual success but about creating a society that values and respects the rights and dignity of every woman.
"Within our party, we must foster an environment that encourages and supports women's leadership. We must promote gender equality in our decision-making processes, ensuring that women have equal representation and a voice in shaping policies and strategies. By doing so, we not only empower women within our party but also set an example for a broader society."
Mukuta emphasised the need to address the root causes of gender inequality, challenge harmful cultural norms, and advocate for legal reforms that protect women's rights.
She urged women to stand together against gender-based violence and ensure that every woman feels safe and secure in her own community.
"As we gather here today, we must acknowledge the challenges that women face in our society. Discrimination, gender-based violence, and unequal opportunities continue to hinder the advancement of women in various spheres of life. However, we must also recognise that these challenges do not define us. Instead, they serve as catalysts for change, igniting our determination to create a more inclusive and equitable society."
Also speaking at the occasion were the founder of the UDF women's council, Tsu-Khoe ||Garoes, and Tina Harases, the Chairperson of the UDF women's council.
"We are moving towards a new modern global society where women have equal rights, where women are to have a voice, where women need to be empowered, trained, and standing frame like leaders to lead the Namibian nation tomorrow, and that is our wish that a woman very soon or later has to become a Namibian president."
"Women in politics or women's empowerment are global issues, and according to the Beijing Convention declared and signed by almost 189 countries, including Namibia, our country, which means we as women are the most important role players in development and nation-building and should be included in decision-making positions in the public service as well as the private sector."
Women are encouraged to invest in quality education for women, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their chosen fields and eliminating the barriers to education, such as early marriages and gender stereotypes, which disproportionately affect girls and hinder their access to education.
The gathering was held under the banner Dihaharab ta !Kham Dan, meaning the one who perseveres, prospers.