Rehoboth Town Council Institutional Profile

REHOBOTH TOWN COUNCIL

Gender mainstreaming was never an agenda item on the calendar of the Rehoboth Town Council, and the process was only prompted by the partnership with Gender Links, and the introduction of related issues to Council. With the assistance of Gender Links Namibia, the council is currently in the process of introducing a policy regarding gender as a workplace programme, as well as a program extended to the community at large.

The Slogan on the Rehoboth Emblem is Pro Bono Omnium; in short, to the benefit of all. Therefore all Council activities, decision making, empowerment, management and resolution execution must be equally represented and shared. The Mayor has suggested that the council’s Gender Profile be a standing item on all Monthly Council Meetings.

The previous representation on the Council’s political positioning was male dominated. The Local Authority consists of seven councillors as decided by the electorate. Due to the National intervention, the representation of women has extended to three out of four, of which one is the Mayor and one serving as a member of the Management Committee, both at platforms where serious decisions are taken and resolved upon.

All Local Authorities are faced with transitional problems due to the change of political offices. Projects such as the Gender Links intervention are therefore not translated to the incoming political leadership; therefore the intervention ends up un-implemented. Ownership is therefore not cemented.

With the perpetuated intervention of Gender Links, serious awareness platforms have been created and resolved upon, on which women’s issues such as equality, safety, economic empowerment and others would be addressed.

On the issue of housing, the Local Authority is responsible for the management of the Decentralised Built Together Programme which is funded by the Central Government. The Rehoboth Town Council has resolved during its Committee meetings that applications of women should be prioritised, and a deliberate percentage of 74,6% of loans were allocated to the low income sub programme. The process has led to a very significant drop in the quest for housing, although the need is growing due to the increasing number of inhabitants, especially women.

Tenders in the past were dominated by male applicants, and women just represented a shadow of their numbers. Council has taken a solid stance in allocating 80% of refuse tenders to women. This allocation has drastically changed the socio-economic status of women, to the extent that they are not only tenderers but also job providers. The tender also made provision for the most marginalised.

More than two thousand hectares (2002Ha) of farming land has been allocated to the Farming Association, which has a 60% women’s representation. The allocation, which was initially used for primarily subsistence farming, has been fused with commercial farming activities, thereby empowering women to enter the farming market commercially.

More than 35 women were employed as temporary employees on the Council structures. Triggered by the intervention of programmes such as the intervention of GL, all of them were employed permanently, thus ensuring a continued income to the women and also contributing to the equilibrium on the Council structures.

In terms of the work place policies, capacity building and training are lacking. The HIV/AIDS Work Place Policy is in existence as an intervention of AMICAAL. After an audit by GL, it was resolved to introduce a gender specific policy at council. Officials are currently attending GBV programmes and training. Other initiatives include the partnership UTN for the Crime and Violence Prevention Programme.

Although funds are granted, there is no specific or related reference made to gender issues. With the intervention of the GL, Council was convinced to consider such a provision on the annual budget. Council has indicated willingness to make a budgetary provision to cater for gender specific issues, e.g. providing scholarships to girls to pursue their academic careers at tertiary institutions.

Council is currently the member of the Police Public Relations Committee in a chairing capacity. By the nature of its position, Council is considering upgrading the WACPU centre in town to be developed in a child friendly and temporary haven for victims of domestic violence.

Rehoboth is a vibrant town, with multi-traditional and multi-cultural inhabitants. Currently Rehoboth is considered a residential town, meaning that most of the population is employed in Windhoek due to proximity. Council will however explore existing natural and human resources to be converted in a developmental and to be of an economic value to all. Safety and security will be guaranteed to all women, vulnerable children, the elders and the youth.