Namibia: Otavi Women in Textile

It is a textile project aimed at promoting t and uplifting the lively wood of women in Otavi of which most of them are single mother. This women sit with children and grant children without any means of income however, they have a massive talent in tailoring, arts and craft which was not utilize. This women were facing hardship so much so that there was nothing at their homes at times. they could not pay municipal bills as there was no means of income. Thus Otavi Town Council after contacting a survey decided to seek funding this women to start with the project of Textile Arts and Craft.

The project objective is to provide much needed service to the community and companies as they are doing: Garment repairs and mending Garment production (dresses, shirts, trousers, and curtains). The objective of the project is to empower women to stand on their own and fight against poverty. which means that the aim is to create self-employment opportunity. The aim was also to bring women of different ethnic groups together learn from each other’s  culture.

The main activities are:

• Identification of strategic places were things will be sell off Four Ways Service Station is one such place that project select to sell their goods too.
• Garment production (dresses, shirts, trousers, curtains, kitchen textiles).
• Tailoring Fashion dresses.
• Arts and Crafts – handmade embroidery.
• Laundry services.
• Specific projects: Frequent mending works of soldiers’ uniforms.

The project has benefited about 1 015 women with 15 active groups. The project reaches 1 000 indirect beneficiaries. The Otavi Town Council allocated $700 000 to this project. In kind contributions amounted to $30 000. The total budget for the project is $730 000.

Supervisors visit the project on the day to basis monitor Project provide monthly report every end of the month To Do List is been provided to monitor what is been done on day to day basis we make sure that policies and guidelines are follow in terms of 50/50 campaign The communication must be in the way the members understand each other.

Where there are more than two people working together many problems are encountered. The project members have different backgrounds and different skills levels yet they all deserve a fulfilled life Practical steps into project work. Otavi is a very small community, levels of jealousy are high when people are succeeding in something, and many people only want to work with certain people.

Otavi is fast growing and opportunities are tremendous, the project has a great chance to turn into a flourishing business The Business model: self-owned, self-managed and self-determined . it is not common in this community and amongst the project members. Change and mind shifts are required in the process of empowerment.

women move from house wife to business persons women receive training in terms of business management ,book keeping and others capacity was built in terms management women move from receiver to provider women manage to take of their own medical care and those of their children and grant children women poses assets such as cars, houses and livestock. women take care of their own municipal bills unlike in the past were they depend others.

Blondine Tsuses, the single mother and the home owner said “gone are the days we women was house wife for domestic duties only know we can also run our own household.” Helga Nieuman also a single mother and home owner said “we must now stand up and proof to the world that we can do it.”

Men are supporting women in their fight against inequality and Gender Base Violence and as a result men form groups that fight against such social evils. Group such as Men Against Gender Base Violence. The Prayer groups of men who pray that men changes their behaviour through the divine intervention from above. There are also group of youth (boy child) called youth against drug abuse that fight the abase of drugs that leads to all kind of social evil.

Men Against Gender Base Violence (GBV) Markus Damaseb former mayor of Otavi Town Council said that” We see women as our partners but not as our competitors” Pray Group Men Against Inequality and Gender Base Violence man Pastor Sagaria Oaseb said “God create men and women as partners but not as an enemies.’’ Youth Against Drag Abase Thomas Haoseb said ” Young men and women abase drugs that lead to teenage pregnancy and passion killing.”

people understand each other and they share responsibilities. In past the women was responsible for their domestic duties even if they at times brought in money however, now the men also cook for family and wash dishes for example. women also at times take decision that is accepted and executed by whole family for example use of certain items at home such as car.

The community has change drastically because the crimes that use happened frequently does not take place anymore for example raping and domestic violence against women has degrees according to the police reports. Teenage pregnancy has come down and there is really no drops out of the school girls from the school. for example grade 10 and 12 result has indicate that there are more girls who pass their grades than their counter parts.

The attitudes of community has change because people try adobe good live the kind of live that keep you away from crime and prison. many people take part in social activities such as sport social club , church groups and they discussed more positive issues rather than crime and violence.

Good practise can be sustained by transforming all that was lean to future generation. it will also be sustain if the policies and regulations is change. If the schools also change their school curriculum and teach children about gender matter change and work places and so on that will sustain and replicate good practice.