The Young Women of Africa (YWOA) Namibia Chapter has called for institutional accountability and meaningful women’s participation in leadership at a panel discussion held under the theme “Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Contemporary Africa".

The discussion focused on gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV), women’s rights and the gap between existing policies and their implementation.

YWOA Namibia Chairperson Duminga Ndala said women’s empowerment must go beyond representation in leadership positions to addressing structural barriers and ensuring women have real influence in decision-making.

Secretary General Elretha Schroeder said women cannot celebrate breaking leadership barriers while others continue to face violence and discrimination. 
She stressed that policies without implementation and legislation without accountability do not guarantee justice.

Deputy Commissioner Cathrine Walaula, Head of the Namibian Police’s Gender-Based Violence Protection Division, identified economic dependency, cultural silence and inadequate resources as factors that keep women in abusive situations.

She said Namibia has adequate laws to address GBV, but implementation and stronger collaboration between communities and law enforcement remain essential.

World Federation of Democratic Youth Vice President Kleopas Nekundi also called for greater solidarity among women and collective efforts to combat GBV, noting that women in Namibia continue to make progress in leadership and empowerment.