While women and girls make up 49.7 per cent of the global population, they make up 51 per cent of the population of Namibia, however, their desires are not always prioritised, due to gender discrimination which is at the basis of the problem.
This was said by Gift Malunga, UNFPA Country Representative, on the occasion of World Population Day and the launch of the State of World Population Report 2023 on Tuesday at Mariental in the Hardap Region.
According to Malunga, 32 per cent of Namibian women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives, and 6 per cent have experienced violence during pregnancy.
She added that 15 per cent of women who have experienced violence never sought treatment or exposed the assault to anybody.
Meanwhile 18.4 per cent of children have undergone child marriage whereas the adolescent pregnancy rate remains high at 19 per cent.
“These staggering statistics underscore the urgent need for collective action to address the structural inequalities that hold women back even in our own country Namibia, and create a more equitable society in order to achieve national targets and the Sustainable Development Goals,” Malunga said.
The commemoration of the day, she said, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role that population dynamics play in shaping a nation’s development agenda.
“Similarly, we celebrate the limitless potential that gender equality holds as we strive to address barriers, amplify voices, and unlock a world of infinite possibilities for generations to come,” she said.
On his part, Governor of the Hardap Region, Salomon April said that Namibia recognises gender equality as a fundamental human right and an integral part of the economic growth and social development of Namibia.
“The realisation of gender equality, human rights of women and girls and the empowerment of women is a national priority for our country as it is clearly indicated in the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia,” April said.
Government has formulated plans, policies and programmes and these continue to be implemented with the aim of improving the lives of the Namibian people such as Vision 2030, the National Development Plans and Harambee Prosperity Plans to inspire unity in the face of diversity of the people of Namibia, he added.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency