Africa-Press – Namibia. A CROSS section of female politicians in Namibia have voiced their concern over the slow progress of political parties in implementing 50/50 (zebra style) representation in party structures and parliament.
While some believe the country is on the right path to achieving the set Southern African Development Community (SADC) target of 30% representation of women in positions of power, primarily in politics, others believe not enough is not being done, and called for a paradigm shift.
Former politician and civil society coordinator Carola Engelbrecht said efforts should be cultivated in creating opportunities for people based on meritocracy, rather than gender.
“I don’t care, because for me that is not an important thing. I want to see where poverty is addressed and where corruption is addressed.
Speaking to Desert Radio, Engelbrecht said she is less concerned about the ratio of men to women in parliament, than she is about how they serve the people.
“I worry about the quality,” she said.
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian and veteran politician Elma Dienda said currently the National Assembly consists of 46% females serve of female members, 49% at local authorities and municipalities, while regional elections feature 19 to 23% women.
This representation is a challenge, she said. Dienda added that Namibia is failing to reach the SADC quota because of a lack of implementation. “We are failing because of a lack of implementation. Our ministers, our government, our president – they are signing protocols but they don’t implement them,” she said.
The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) president Esther Muinjangue said women’s representation at local authority level is much better, due to a built-in legislative gender quota at local authority level which ensures greater participation and representation of women.
She added that Swapo was doing well in achieving the 50/50 representation of women. “I would not agree 100% that Namibia is failing to reach the SADC quota of women in politics. I think the ruling party is doing well in achieving the 50/50 representation of women.”
Meanwhile Muinjangue, who is also the deputy minister of health, said more needs to be done but also called for women to be promoted on merit. The Swapo Party Women’s Council secretary, Eunice Iipinge, said the ruling party has solid structures to promote women’s progression in politics, as well as a fair representation in parliament.
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