Namibia: Kharas Young Women Alliance promotes  Governance- 50/50 Young Woman Leadership

The 50/50 Youth Leadership is not bound or limited to a specific objective but to a vast and broader focus which aims for the greater good. We believe that any empowerment, especially women empowerment has a positive ripple effect in her surroundings. The reason why this is a good practice is because we need to help one another as young man and woman and stand together to make a positive difference in our societies and this is exactly what this practice aims to achieve through empowerment on all possible levels. This innovative project is driven by outstanding youth leaders who sacrifice their time and focus towards making a profound difference in the lives of young people and community members.

The project co-initiated a community radio show, namely Young People Speak Out in an attempt to give our peers a voice. The Radio program aimed at youth participation to be more embedded in public life as the norm, and believes that the best way to take forward this agenda is by young people leading and shaping the dialogue in partnership with decision-makers.

They  invite decision-makers on the program and get young people to ask questions about development and issues affecting their lives, via Sms, Facebook and live during the show. This project have set out to bring transformation and eradicate poverty through the process of empowerment and education. We have been integral in empowering young people in many communities, to become responsible citizens, by providing them with information, support and skills that lead to their empowerment, and at times, employment.

Co-facilitates regional and local training and personal development sessions with the Directorate Youth Development in the Ministry dealing with Young People. We are active participants in the quest for gender equality and outspoken on the topic of Gender Based Violence. We have been actively involved in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence organizing poster competitions, dialogue and speak-out events at the Keetmanshoop Youth Centre.

The main activities are:

• Having a track record of active youth participation and involvement.
• Focuses on Empowerment and Transformational Leadership Regionally.
• initiated Annual Regional Youth Indaba.
• Annual Regional Youth Leadership Training.
• Annual Regional Job Preparation Training for 1 month.
• Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Summit.
• Regional Youth Development Seminar.
• Relationship Seminar and Personal Development and Mentorship Programme.

The project has benefited about 800 women with 500 active groups. The project reaches 200 indirect beneficiaries.

By Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service and the National Youth Council of Namibia and Marco Fishing (Pty) Ltd In kind contributions were: Accommodation Food Transport Stationery.

We understand the purpose of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is for learning from past experience, improving service delivery, planning and allocating resources, and demonstrating results as part of accountability. Participatory assessments is one of our main evaluation tools. The use of beneficiaries in project review or evaluation can be empowering, building local ownership, capacity, and project sustainability. Since we need to grow more and do more, proper planning needs to be done.

The main challenges were Funding. We work with a Senior Youth Officer at the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service which makes it easier in terms of accommodation, transport and food, since there is a Youth Centre with all the facilities. Mobilization was a challenges but we overcame by utilizing the youth structures under the National Youth Council and working with the Regional Youth Forum and Regional Coordinator.

Women have been empowered in such a way that they can empower others. For example, one of the leaders for this action have received an award from the 2016 Namibia Youth Award in the category of Outstanding Young Woman. This award was for the celebration of Personal Progress and good things young women are doing in their lives. So this goes to show the track record this women have and the substance of her work. Not only was this young woman awarded by the 2016 Namibia Youth Award but she was selected by the Mandela Institute for Development Studies to present her country at the Annual Youth Dialogue in Tanzania.

However, this young woman was invited on National Television Programmes such as Talk of the Nation and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation News as well as National Platforms such as the National Youth Development Seminar 2016. This vibrant young woman is a role model to many who looks up to her and helps others on a daily basis. She has inspired many young woman, she advocated for positions for young woman, she stands up for the peers and acts as a voice for the voiceless.

"If we don't choose to participate today and act as responsible citizens today, what do we think will happen tomorrow. Let's empower one another. Let's celebrate one another and let's be cornerstones for each other’s  growth" Viviane de Koe, Chairperson of the //Kharas Regional Youth Forum.

Men have become more supportive as a result of the organization's work by engaging in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence activities where we had poster competitions and panel discussions as well as social awareness through arts. Men have been part of the discussions on social media and radio.

"We are the one's that are suppose to protect and make them feel secure" Anthony Swartbooi, Youth Activist.

I'm not able to see if the campaign has resulted in power relations at the household level but what i experience and witness in my own life is that there is no longer a struggle and conflict of roles within households. I see men washing clothes and cooking and there seem to be nothing wrong with it.

We see the young leaders of the Region taking initiative of their roles and using it by speaking out at decision making platforms as well as on National Television and social media. We see community members attending community meetings and asking important questions.

Attitudes have changed in such a way that we see young people that stopped abusing alcohol. We witness positive change in the lives of those we mentor like those that are go on educating themselves, those that wants to start their own business and wants to volunteer in order to help others and also build their capacities.

We have learned that it's not everyone that are willing to be empowered. We must seek for those that needs it the most, The ones that are willing and able to be the change they want to see in the world. Every time we have an activity we ensure to engage young people that we know were never exposed to these activities before especially the ones from rural areas.

What makes the project easy to replicate  is the good practise can be sustained through collaboration and assistance in kind.