In reflection if gender representation is a feasible notion, I should say that Namibia has indeed progressed over the years with striking a balance in reaching 50/50 by enacting 50/50 alternating list. Within the political fraternity credit needs to be given to the ruling party SWAPO who made an in house political decision to ensure women recognition in politics is attained and advanced.
I would however want to further the discussion beyond the recognition in representation as equality and equity are key factors to reflect on within this developmental agenda of gender parity and socio-economic development of all women.
It’s evident that the extended discussion of deconstructing gender has not progressed thus it is questionable whether the 50/50 list is just not a list fill up as its evident that the broad narrative and concepts of women’s issues are not holistically understood to ensure women in leadership should able to withstand notions of patriarchy and misogyny as their role in parliament and key political positions are instrumental to the overall wellbeing of women in Namibia.
The survey done amplifies the progress we have in the country yet also clearly indicates that there is a high level of cultural and traditional representation of how men view women and that they (men) still believe that it’s better for women to take care of the children and home- that indicator says a lot of where we still are socially as a country. As a nation we need to interrogate within the framework of equality and equity what the following concepts mean for us in development and that to unpack narratives such as gender equality, gender balance, gender empowerment, gender responsive and gender transformation as these are key factors for development.
I believe it’s time that the women’s movement is rived in the country as back in the days of 2007 we had a very vibrant, proactive and collective women’s movement that ensured social and legislative transformation is experienced, lived and realised by all women.
By: Linda RM Baumann
03 August 2018
17h49
See Link:
http://afrobarometer.org/publications/ad224-though-leader-gender-representation-namibia-still-has-work-ensure-full-equality
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