Celebrating 25 years of the Namibian Catholic Women Movement’s service and impact

Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, speaker of the National Assembly, at Anamulenge in the Omusati region, 6 September 2025

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It is with profound joy and deep appreciation that I stand before you today on this momentous occasion, the 25th anniversary of the Namibian Catholic Women Movement.

Twenty-five years is not just the turning of the calendar – it is a quarter-century of service, vision, commitment, and faith put into action.

This anniversary calls us to reflect, not only on the achievements of the movement, but also on the values that have guided you since your establishment. From the very beginning, you have been driven by a noble mandate: to empower women and men alike, to combat gender-based violence, to advance gender equality, to provide skills and training for sustainable livelihoods, and to foster peaceful coexistence in our communities. 

That mandate has made your movement not just a faith-based organisation, but also a vital development partner for our nation.

Before Namibia gained independence, when so many of our people were marginalised, denied opportunities, and deprived of basic services, the churches – Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist – stood as a lifeline. In the farthest corners of our country, church schools and hospitals were often the only places where children could learn and families could receive care. Many of us in this very audience were educated in those schools or treated in those clinics. These institutions did not only impart knowledge and provide healing, they also nurtured values of discipline, compassion, justice and solidarity.

Even today, the legacy of that service continues. The government is proud to work hand in hand with the church, supporting and subsidising church schools and hospitals. This is not simply a gesture of goodwill; it is a recognition of the indispensable role the church continues to play in delivering essential services and uplifting communities. Ours is a partnership grounded in trust and mutual respect, and it remains as important today as it was before independence.

We also remember with humility and admiration the moral courage of church leaders during the darkest days of Namibia’s history. The bishops’ petition against colonial rule and human rights violations was not only an act of faith; it was an act of resistance, a clear voice of justice in a time of oppression. It showed us that the church is not a passive observer of society, but an active force for justice, dignity and freedom. That same moral leadership lives on in the work of the Namibian Catholic Women Movement today.

The issues that form the heart of the Catholic Women Movement’s mandate are also at the very core of our nation’s laws, policies and vision. Article 10 of our Constitution affirms unequivocally that all people are equal before the law and prohibits discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of sex. 

Building on this foundation, the government has enacted laws that speak directly to the struggles you confront every day. The Combating of Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2003 and the Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000 provide legal protection to victims and aim to break the cycle of abuse. The Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2015 safeguards the welfare of our children, ensuring that they grow up in safe and nurturing environments.

Beyond legislation, the Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy (2025-2035) provides a clear roadmap for mainstreaming gender equality across all sectors. Our Harambee Prosperity Plan and the sixth National Development Plan emphasise inclusive growth, poverty eradication and the empowerment of women and youth as cornerstones of sustainable development. In all these frameworks, the work of the Namibian Catholic Women Movement finds resonance and reinforcement. You are not only complementing the government’s efforts, you are helping to make our policies real and tangible in the lives of ordinary Namibians.

When you address gender-based violence, you are giving effect to our laws and policies while also restoring dignity to families. When you train women and men in practical skills, you are advancing our economic empowerment agenda. When you promote peaceful coexistence, you are building social cohesion and stability. In short, you are putting the values of our Constitution into action.

What sets this movement apart is the philosophy that the Kingdom of God must not only be awaited in heaven, but must also be built here on earth. Yours is a holistic mission. You are shepherds not only of souls, but also of minds, bodies and communities. By investing in education, you are giving our young people the tools they need to step confidently into the future. 

By supporting healthcare, you are protecting families and sustaining lives. By initiating income-generating projects, you are creating opportunities for communities to lift themselves out of poverty. This is faith translated into service, and service translated into transformation.

As we mark this milestone, it is fitting that we also reflect on Heroes Day, which we have just observed as a nation. Heroes Day reminds us of the courage and sacrifices of those who fought for Namibia’s freedom, dignity and sovereignty. The men and women who gave their lives for independence carried a vision of justice and equality that continues to guide us today. Their struggle did not end with the lowering of the colonial flag. It continues in every effort we make to combat poverty, to eliminate inequality and to protect the vulnerable.

In this regard, I see the work of the Catholic Women Movement as a continuation of that legacy. You may not carry arms, but you carry compassion. You may not fight battles on the battlefield, but you fight them in the home, in the classroom, in the clinic and in the community hall. You are heroes in your own right, advancing the cause of dignity and justice with every life you uplift. By empowering women and men, you are honouring the sacrifices of our national heroes and heroines, and carrying forward their torch of hope.

I must emphasise that development cannot be carried out by the government alone. It is a shared responsibility. We may be the custodians of the public interest, as government, but true transformation requires the collaboration of all: the state, the church, civil society, the private sector and communities themselves. Only by joining hands across our diversity can we truly achieve the aspirations of Vision 2030 and build the Namibia we dream of.

That is why the Catholic Women Movement is so important. You remind us that complementarity of efforts is not just desirable but necessary, that empowerment is not a slogan but a lived reality when women and men, girls and boys, are given the tools, the opportunities and the support they need to flourish.

It is in recognition of this invaluable work that I am pleased to make a modest contribution towards the three projects you are currently implementing. Though it may be small compared to the magnitude of your mission, it is given in appreciation of the transformative role you play in our communities.

As we look ahead, let us recommit ourselves to building a Namibia where no woman or child lives in fear of violence, where education and health are accessible to all, and where poverty is replaced with prosperity and dignity. Let us work together to ensure that equality is not just a constitutional principle but a daily reality in every household, in every school and in every workplace.

The Namibian Catholic Women Movement has, for 25 years, shown us what faith in action truly looks like. You have walked with the people, uplifted the vulnerable and given voice to the voiceless. As you enter the next chapter of your journey, may you continue to grow in strength, in impact and in grace.

On behalf of the National Assembly, and indeed on behalf of the nation, I congratulate you on this historic anniversary. I commend you for the excellent commemoration preparations, which include insightful presentations, and I thank you for granting me the honour and privilege to join you and share some insights.

May the Lord bless your movement, bless your projects, and bless your continued service to our people.

I thank you for your attention.

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