UN commends Namibia for human rights promotion

United Nations Population Fund representative Gift Malunga has commended Namibia’s progress in addressing population issues and promoting the rights and choices of its people.

“This commemoration serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role that population dynamics play in shaping a nation’s development agenda,” she said at the commemoration of World Population Day at Mariental on Tuesday.

According to Malunga, the day celebrates the limitless potential that gender equality holds as the government and its partners strive to address barriers, amplify voices and unlock possibilities for generations to come.

The event was hosted under the theme ‘Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock the world’s infinite possibilities’.

She said although women and girls make up 51% of the population in Namibia, often their desires are not prioritised, because of gender inequality.

Malunga urged Namibia to create a more equitable society for it to achieve national targets and the sustainable development goals.

“Thirty-two percent of Namibian women between the ages of 15 and 49 reported experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives, 6% reported experiencing violence during pregnancy, 15% have experienced violence have never sought help and disclosed the abuse to anyone and 18,4% of children have experienced child marriage,” she said.

These staggering statistics underscore the urgent need for collective action to address the structural inequalities that hold women back.

Speaking at the same event, Hardap regional governor Salomon April said the government recognises gender equality as a fundamental human right and an integral part of the economic growth and social development of Namibia.

He said gender equality, human rights of women and girls and the empowerment of women are the government’s priorities.

“The government continues to put more efforts on implementing the national gender policy through the prioritised national plan of action on gender-based violence to end the scourge of violence against women and girls,” April said.