The network of female local authority leaders says the high level of poverty among women and gender-based violence are causes for concern.
The women leaders met at Rundu, under the umbrella of the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), to discuss strategies on how to curb these social ills.
Among the issues discussed was the need for backyard gardens to ensure that families meet their household food needs and supplement their income.
ALAN President, Hilda Jesaya, believes the empowerment of women can help address the challenge of street children in their respective towns.
"We had a point of working towards the protection of children and many groups came up with the idea that we need to register the children in our local authorities; we have to take stock of all the kids standing around the corner in our towns; we have to holistic funds at hand to build shelters for these kids; we also have to bring in social workers so that we can discuss this and some of the kids can go back to school."
Jesaja is also calling for the establishment of shelters at local authorities where survivors of GBV and domestic violence can receive psychological support.
"Especially in rural areas, we have plenty of land and plenty of activities that need to take place, but the women don't know where to start. So we're going to workshop; we're going to call small groups and workshop them on how to ask for funds because there are funds available. You can go to the bank, but they don't know how to put them in groups and start something. I think by this time next year, Namibia will be a different country according to the LEFELA strategic plan."
The conference brought together about 120 women from the country's 14 regions to discuss the ALAN Female network's 2022–2025 strategic plan.
Bella Kavendji was elected ALAN Female network vice-president along with 14 regional commissioners to spearhead the network's activities in their respective regions.
ALAN is an advocacy association on issues affecting local authorities' ability to render effective and efficient services to their residents.