Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has raised concern about the neglect of boys in Africa’s development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah says there is a growing disparity, with boys increasingly lagging behind and being outnumbered by girls in churches and cultural groups.
She was speaking at a Swapo meet and greet at Sangwali in the Zambezi region on Sunday.
Her remarks follow the recent observance of Pan-African Women’s Day and the 62nd anniversary of the Pan-African Women’s Organisation (Pawo), where she was a speaker, in Windhoek on Saturday.
The day was observed under the theme, ‘Invest in Education: Securing the Future of Women and Girls in Africa’.
“As women, we are concerned about the future of our continent and we believe in focusing on the youth, with particular reference now on boys. Boys are now lagging behind and we are feeling it,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She asserted that one can not develop a country with only one group of citizens.
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, themes related to education were discussed at the event.
“As African women, we are concerned about our children, education and the focus was mostly on the youth,” she said.
PAN-AFRICAN WOMEN’S DAY
The recent observance of Pan-African Women’s Day and the 62nd anniversary of the Pawo ended in several key resolutions aimed at empowering women across Africa.
According to a Pawo press statement on Monday, the resolutions aim to enhance the status of women and girls across the continent and address ongoing challenges.
One of the resolutions calls for the establishment of legislative frameworks for women’s rights, urging African Union member states to ratify and implement key instruments, including the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the African Youth Charter.
The meeting also passed a resolution calling for an inclusive focus on children of both genders.
“It is vital to address the needs and rights of both boys and girls in educational and social initiatives. This dual focus will foster gender equality from an early age and promote a more balanced approach to foundational learning and early childhood development,” noted Pawo.
The meeting also looked at transforming education systems and noted that a comprehensive, evidence-based transformation of the education system is necessary.
“This includes revising policies, programmes, laws and curricula to ensure they are relevant and effective in meeting the developmental needs of Africa. Education should be tailored to empower future generations and contribute to the continent’s economic growth, while looking at value addition and job creation,” noted Pawo.
Additional resolutions passed include investments in educational infrastructure, combating gender-based violence and harmful practices, increasing women’s representation in decision-making, empowering young women and promoting economic independence.
Resolutions also focused on women’s peace and security, investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, community awareness on rights and security, and enhancing leadership and synergy within Pawo.
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