Outjo Municipality Institutional Profile

Even though women in the Council do not chair the Council meetings or committees within the Council, they are given the right to influence the decisions made by Council or Committees. Women and men participate equally in Public meetings. Ward Committees mostly chaired by women have been established for the communities. A gardening project has been implemented and is spearheaded by women.

The Council inherited an Institution dominated by males only after independence. Only positions like cleaners, receptionists & secretaries were possessed by females. There was only 1 Council member without a portfolio. There is a big difference between the number of women and men employed by Council. The total number of employees for the Council is 88, and only 18 are women. However, the Council is currently employing more women to close the gap as mandated by the Affirmative Action Act.

Female Councillors has increased to 2, and the Deputy Mayor was also a women. More women have been employed; however, the Council is currently embarking upon employing women at the Management Level. Furthermore, the Council is also keeping gender disaggregated data on all Council activities.

The Outjo council has plans to make its work accessible to people living in poverty, and ensure that they are excluded in the Council’s decision making. Some of the following initiatives illustrate this:
– The Council made provision for land on affordable prices (i.e N$6.30 p/m ²) for BTP especially for women in order to do away with man only owned properties.
– The Council donated land to the Hai-//Om Community (Marginalized Group of people) for construction of cultural centre and a camping site.
– The Council also donated land for construction of Chief’s house to the Hai-//Om Chief.
– Land for Community Gardening has been availed to Ehangano Community spearheaded by women.

There is political will and support by the current Leadership who pro-actively participates in the campaigns to raise awareness. The Council has more guiding documents in place, which are implemented. (CORD, GBV & Take back the Night) The Council also helped with the mobilisation of these campaigns through announcing in the town streets via loudspeaker.

The Council also bought soft drinks for the community members participating in these campaigns. Women are leading the Health Campaigns in town for e.g. Coalition of Responsible Drinking (CORD) Campaigns. The Council in collaboration with the community project called “Droom vir Outjo” embark upon beautifying and cleanliness of the town. The Council has Personnel Rules which is in line with the Labour Law and is covering all aspects of different leaves (sick, maternity, annual, etc.). Disciplinary hearings, sexual harassments, etc. The Council integrate all it’s activities with relevant stakeholders. (More partnership on different components have been formed).

The Council is also faced by the National challenge, which is unemployment and unserviced land. The entire Community of Outjo is also faced by High GBV Cases and teenage pregnancies. The Council has established good working relationship with all stakeholders playing a crucial role in development. Thus, all line Ministries, Kunene Regional Council, Police, Non-Governmental Organisations, Traditional Authorities and Local Business People. Activities are co-ordinated and addressed in unity.

The Council is embarking upon mainstreaming Gender Activities in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders through awareness campaigns within the community members in order to develop gender sensitivity among develop gender sensitivity among community members and to do away with the GBV within our community.