At the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) during the 2nd Meeting of Women Parliamentarians held on 29-30 September 2025 at Arabella Hotel, Kleinmond, South Africa, Hon. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila delivered critical remarks on developing gender-sensitive programs aimed at inclusive growth and sustainable development under the sub-theme “Women Parliamentarians for Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
Honourable Chairperson, distinguished speakers, esteemed women parliamentarians, development partners, and civil society representatives, she emphasized that establishing gender-sensitive programming transcends policy frameworks; it is about transforming women’s lived realities, drawing from Namibia’s experience as both inspiration and a learning journey.
Key pillars outlined included:
Constitutional Commitment: Namibia’s Constitution enshrines gender equality through Articles 10 and 23, prohibiting discrimination and mandating affirmative action. Despite a parliamentary “zebra system” that once achieved 50% women representation, this has declined to 38.5%, underscoring the need for constant parliamentary vigilance and systematic Gender Impact Assessments for legislation.
Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Namibia’s 2014 Cabinet-approved Gender Responsive Budgeting Guidelines aim to address economic costs of gender inequality. However, only 1.5% of budget expenditures are gender-specific, with over 95% in mainstream allocations without gender focus. Sustained impact requires mandating Gender Budget Statements across key ministries, institutionalizing gender budgeting, auditing allocations to vulnerable groups, and parliamentary oversight strengthened by targeted training.
Inclusive Legal Frameworks and Policies: Namibia’s 2021–2031 National Policy on Gender Equality prioritizes women and children, but implementation needs strengthening through learning from international best practices.
Women’s Health and Education: Parliamentary focus led to a 75% reduction in maternal mortality between 2013 and 2020. Yet, rising gender-based violence and limited disclosure due to socio-cultural barriers remain critical concerns. Education access improved significantly, though challenges like limited sanitary product availability affect girls’ attendance and progress, which parliamentary networks are helping to address.
Civil Society Engagement: The National Assembly actively collaborates with civil society organizations for grassroots input and capacity building on health, education, gender, and climate change. Frameworks are being developed to deepen cooperation beyond consultation into genuine partnership leveraging civil society’s networks and resources.
In her conclusion, Hon. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged fellow parliamentarians to commit to three transformative actions: mandatory gender impact assessments for all legislation, systematic gender-responsive budgeting with measurable outcomes and oversight, and proactive partnerships with women’s civil society organizations that foster true collaboration.
Her address underscored that gender equality and sustainable development are interconnected goals requiring persistent, coordinated parliamentary action worldwide.
