First Gentleman commends Ministry of Gender Equality’s efforts to empower boys and men

THE First Gentleman, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, has welcomed the Ministry of Gender Equality’s efforts to prioritise the empowerment of boys and men in Namibia, citing concerns over a male mental health crisis and declining academic performance among male students.

“Allow me to commend the Honourable Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and her team for the Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035, and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan 2025–2030. This policy sets out a vision of which among others has clearly stated that ‘A gender-just society where men, women, boys, and girls enjoy equal rights and live freely with dignity’. The policy further recognises that in higher education, male students are lagging, and there is, therefore, a need to develop affirmative action measures to address this gender imbalance,” Ndaitwah said.