Momentum Metropolitan Namibia has launched its Womentum campaign, an initiative which aims to champion women, highlighting their multifaceted triumphs in the financial, personal, and professional spheres.
“Womentum goes beyond passing trends or hashtags. It encapsulates a sincere call for women to wholeheartedly celebrate their achievements, regardless of their scale or complexity. Women aspire not for dominance, but for equal rights, opportunities, and recognition. This foundational belief guides us toward a harmonious, just, inclusive, and flourishing society. At its core, Womentum embodies empowerment. The campaign encourages women to craft their own narratives of success, promoting inclusivity and creating an environment that uplifts others to recognize their boundless potential,” said Denille Roostee, Group Executive of Marketing at Momentum Metropolitan Group, Namibia.
“Womentum emerges as a beacon, celebrating not only women’s significant milestones but also compelling society to confront its inherent biases. It underscores the need to cultivate empathy for the various roles and experiences women navigate, both in their professional and personal lives. By establishing a coherent ecosystem that acknowledges and addresses the challenges faced by women, Momentum aspires to champion not only women’s successes, but also the advancement of society as a whole.”
Reflecting on Namibia’s progress towards gender equity, Roostee noted that the 1990 constitution and the 1996 Married Persons Equality Act bear witness to Namibia’s dedication to gender fairness.
“An upward trend in secondary education enrollment among Namibian women indicates a transformative shift. Additionally, Namibia’s commendable eighth rank in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023 showcases the nation’s progress towards gender parity,” she added.
“Recent developments have earned Namibia accolades from the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for adopting its inaugural national action plan on women, peace, and security for 2019-2024. This significant step is seen as a supplementary measure bolstering women’s rights frameworks.”
Roostee acknowledged that Namibia’s journey towards gender parity comprises both achievements and challenges.
“Despite efforts to narrow the gender wage gap, certain imbalances persist, particularly within family income dynamics. Unfortunately, certain societal perceptions still lean toward the troubling notion of women’s perceived subordination. A concerning statistic reveals that a substantial segment of the population, encompassing both men and women aged 15-49, considers domestic violence acceptable in specific scenarios,” she said.
Roostee reiterated Momentum’s guiding principles, saying, “Our ethos is inherently aligned with empowerment and inclusion. While recognizing the numerous challenges women face, our conviction remains unwavering: equipped with the right resources, mentorship, and unwavering support, every woman can chart her path to success. We envision a realm where each woman is inspired to harness her talents, from business acumen to entrepreneurial expertise.”