WINDHOEK, Aug. 2 — Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday emphasized the urgent need to address historical injustices endured by African women through reparative justice frameworks.
Speaking at the 63rd Pan-African Women’s Day celebration in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, Nandi-Ndaitwah said reparative justice frameworks are essential to confront the legacy of colonialism, slavery, apartheid, and imperialist exploitation that has disproportionately affected African women and communities.
She noted that Namibia initiated its reparations process 19 years ago, when parliament passed a motion calling on Germany to acknowledge its colonial-era genocide and provide reparations.
Since then, the government has engaged in ongoing negotiations with Germany alongside representatives of affected communities.
“Women often bear the brunt of economic instability, lack of access to quality education, and gender-based violence,” the president said, adding that empowering women and girls through education, healthcare, and economic opportunity is central to achieving social justice.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also reiterated Namibia’s support for the Saharawi people and called on the United Nations to implement its resolutions regarding Western Sahara’s right to self-determination.
She also called for stronger advocacy from women’s organizations, the ratification and implementation of African Union (AU) gender protocols, and the prioritization of youth mental health and peace-building efforts.
Pan-African Women’s Day commemorates the founding of the Pan-African Women’s Organization in 1962, now recognized as a specialized agency of the AU. (Xinhua)
