LONG BATTLE LIES AHEAD ON GENDER EQUALITY
By Absalom Shigwedha, Windhoek

October 3, 2003 – (The Namibian - Windhoek) NAMIBIA still has a long way to go to achieve gender equality in all sectors, says Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare, Netumbo Ndaitwah.

Opening a workshop in Windhoek this week, Ndaitwah said although an increase has been noted in the number of women participating at all levels of decision-making, both in the private and public sector, gender-stereotype activities, such as sexual harassment at home and in the workplace, continue.

"The unequal participation of women and men in social and economic development over the years has draw back development and social justice," the Minister told a two-day Gender Mainstreaming Workshop for Namibian Police Senior Management.

Ndaitwah said gender equality should not be seen as a fight between men and women, but as a necessary process which needs commitment from both sexes.

"It is a fact that unequal power relations and economic dependence are the major contributing factors of domestic violence.

Gender-based violence is taking place on a day-to-day basis in all the corners of our country.

Most of the victims of this are women and children," she said.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200310030405.html