Workshop for women in politics – WAD

The first-ever Enhancement of the Participatory Process of Women in Politics in Namibia was held this week by Women’s Action for Development (WAD) at the Tanidare Empowerment Centre in Soweto in Katutura. The project theme is “My Rights as a Woman and Namibian Citizen! Gender and Human Rights Awareness-raising for Namibian citizens” Three delegates for each party where invited to participate in the workshop, which is part of a three-year project for which WAD has obtained funding of N$6 million. The project is now at Activity 6 and Activity 7 which focus on political awareness among women. Activity 6 is aimed at women who want to run for seats in the upcoming elections and this workshop helped them to prepare for the process. Activity 7 is aimed at women who already have seats in  Parliament.

The workshops are sponsored by the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Ambassador Raul Fuentes Milani, Head of the EU Delegation to Namibia said that these workshops empower women to prosper because when women prosper society also prospers.Dr Bernd Althusmann, Resident Representative of foundation said this workshop enables women to claim their rights back without fear. He also stated that girls and boys should be educated early in life to respect each other and he wished WAD many more successful workshops. Hon. Petrina Haingura, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services emphasised that the time has come for women to move with their men folk and not to be left behind. Women should reject the argument that they are weak and too emotional to be in leadership positions. She told the participants to take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to work themselves up through their party structures. Between now and November, the will be 65 , three-day workshops in all the regions.