Namibia #voiceandchoice summit affirms survivors of GBV

Namibia Voice and Choice Summit and Awards 2019 was held on the 7^th to the 8^th of August 2019 at Protea Hotel Thuringerhof. The Summit ran under the hashtag #VoiceandChoice. Whereby GL creates an enabling environment where women can have a voice and choice over their own sexual reproductive health and rights.

The aims and objectives of the summit were;

• To gather evidence on #VoiceandChoice through case studies on action, leadership and institutional practise.
• To acknowledge and affirm survivors of gender violence who are reclaiming their lives.
• To establish new baseline scores for the Centres of Excellence for Gender in Local Government in line with the Agenda 2030 SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
• To promote discussion and reflection on what works to achieve gender equality and justice.

Over 55 entries were adjudicated and winners pronounced on the 8^th of August 2019. The summit was officially opened by ALAN Vice president Honourable Georgina Mwiya.

Promoting gender equality and improving the status of women remains a top priority on Namibia’s development agenda and therefore as Gender Links we stand with you in your quest to achieving this goal. The #Voice and Choice campaign puts a spotlight on the inter-linked gender justice issues of our time including menstrual health, comprehensive sexual education, teenage pregnancies, safe abortion, maternal health, GBV, HIV and Aids, and sexual diversity. In November 2018, the SADC health ministers chaired by Namibia adopted the first ever SRHR strategy for the region. This is really a milestone for SADC and Namibia to improve the lives of women. Under the spirit of leaving no one behind, this year’s summits included a stand-alone category on Youth Voice and Choice Awards. The Voice and

Namibia received AU awards in four categories namely best performer at the level of ratification and reporting of the relevant international and continental instrument on fighting corruption, promoting gender equality and protecting women’s rights at the national level. It was also awarded the best African country regarding progress made in mainstreaming gender equality into the fight against corruption. Namibia also receive a gender award from Gender is my Agenda in 2017. The timing of the national summit to share our best practices through the Voice and Choice Summit could not have been better!