Nedbank and Oyayone Foundation accelerate women’s economic empowerment

Last week, the Oyayone Foundation, with support from Nedbank Namibia, launched the '2023 Status of Women in Namibia Report' in Windhoek.

The name Oyayone translates to ‘net-caster’ – a net-caster who hunts for those who are lost. The foundation works with and for women – specifically young, underprivileged single mothers – who are at risk of being left behind and seeks to break the cycle of poverty by addressing basic needs and tackling asset poverty.

Commissioned by the Oyayone Foundation, the report provides a comprehensive overview of key development indicators and progress made along the thematic pillars of poverty and inequality, economic inclusion and empowerment, health and well-being, education, gender-based violence, political inclusion and empowerment.

Chairperson of the Oyayone Foundation, Louise Shixwameni, said:

“The only way we can create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable society is by ensuring full participation of women in both national and international decision-making processes.”

According to a press release issued by Nedbank, the Oyayone report plays an important role in highlighting a number of key issues, which could result in developing programmes for vulnerable and unemployed women in Namibia.



Combining visions

Convened under the theme ‘Accelerating women’s economic empowerment towards gender equality’, the event was marked by a strong spirit of unity and commitment and showcased the collective vision of both Nedbank Namibia and the Oyayone Foundation in fostering a more inclusive and empowered society.

Nedbank Namibia’s managing director, Martha Murorua, reflected on the importance of partnerships and collaboration.

“Supporting this research project shows our belief in the power of collective action and our resolve to support initiatives that drive positive change within our communities towards improved levels of financial and economic inclusion.”

The study includes a gap analysis and recommendations that Namibia as a whole could take up to strengthen the empowerment of women and improve economic growth and development.

In 2021, Nedbank Namibia sponsored the execution of the critical research project with an investment of N$150 000.

Driven by its commitment to addressing youth unemployment, fostering job creation, and alleviating poverty, Nedbank Namibia’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Committee supported the Oyayone Foundation's project. Earlier this year, the bank provided additional support by facilitating a research validation workshop where industry stakeholders engaged in providing valuable feedback on the research findings.

This effort has resulted in the integration of workshop insights into the final report. The foundation unveiled the report, the culmination of this significant collaboration, at a stakeholder and media event that took place last week in the capital.

This report brings together a number of gender inequality indices while acknowledging policy impacts by highlighting active steps taken by the government through a detailed overview of policy and legislative frameworks. The report also reflects improvements in women's representation in parliament and government and how Namibia is leading in this aspect on the continent and among the top 10 nations globally.

Deputy minister in the poverty eradication, gender equality and social welfare ministry Bernadette Jagger, said: “I commend the Oyayone Foundation and its partners for documenting the baseline status of this significant demographic segment so as to inform the design and implementation of evidence-based policies and programmatic interventions.

“The status of women in independent Namibia has improved over the last three decades, and this report tells the story of steady progress enabled by strong political will, hope, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. We all have additional work to do, and I invite you to use the evidence presented in this report in your field of work towards addressing some of the key challenges presented.”