Stereotypes and Harmful practices

25.The Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2015, prohibits and criminalizes any harmful practices done to all children in Namibia. A study on child marriages was done in the year 2020, and recommendations made from that study are being implemented by all stake holders.

26.We further wish to inform the committee that the state party does not intend to abolish polygamy. Polygamy is an integral part of African culture and the state party does not consider it a harmful cultural practice. Polygamy can only become an offense when it involves child brides or women are forced into it. Overall, the majority of women in polygamous relationships are in it voluntarily and such unions are governed according to the customs and practices of a particular ethnic group. However, the Government is consulting with traditional authorities and other stakeholders on reviewing existing customary marital laws and on enacting specific laws meant it increasing protection for women in polygamous unions.

Gender Based-Violence against Women

27.The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare’s Social Workers and the Ministry of safety and Security, are part of essential services. Thus, services were provided without interruptions. However, the response plan for GBV and VAC was developed during the COVID-19 lockdown to guide the public how to report. The response plan was part of proclamation that was published by the government of Namibia. The response plan entails the process and referral procedures:

•The first point of response to children or adults in need of protective were reporting using 116 or 106 helplines or report the matter to the nearest police station;

•Regional supervisors (Control Social Workers) were immediately informed about the reported case;

•The Ministry of Gender Equality’s regional supervisor assigns a specific case for designated social worker to handle GBV and VAC cases as per standards and guidelines in place.

28.Based on the study, a new “A Call to Action” Prioritized National Plan of Action 2019–2023 was developed. Due to the outcome of the study, community dialogues were initiated targeting in and out of school youth and, community at large. Further, the civil societies amplified efforts to engage traditional leaders and male engagements in terms of GBV.

29.The GBV materials for the campaign have been translated into local languages and they have been aired on the National Broadcasting Corporation. The airing of the GBV materials were extended to private local radio stations.

30.All victims of GBV have access to protection orders and Psychosocial treatment and counselling offered by the Multi-sectoral approach under the GBV investigation units.

Information

31.Detailed information regarding this query will be provided in the next periodic report.

32.The Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000 is still undergoing review and is currently at parliament for possible amendments.

33.Detailed information regarding this query will be provided in the next periodic report.

Shelters

34.To provide effective comprehensive services to GBV victims and their families, the Government through the Ministry of Safety and Security established 17 Gender Based Violence Protection Units (GBVPU), in 14 regions. The units adopt a multisectoral approach and the key ministries involved are:

•Gender Equality and Child Welfare responsible for psycho-social support services;

•Safety and Security responsible for Protection Services; and

•Health and Social Services responsible for care and treatment services.

35.With regard to provision of temporary shelters for survivors of GBV and victims of Trafficking; the MGECW and stakeholders have identified shelters in 9 regions. Three shelters have been upgraded in 2018 to accommodate victims of Trafficking In Persons (TIP). The Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) GBV and operationalisation of shelters have also been finalised in 2018 to assist referral of GBV cases and including TIP. The Lifeline/Childline also has a GBV Help line (106) that compliments the efforts of the Namibian Police Force by offering counselling services and also refers GBV and TIP cases to the Namibian Police Force.

36.The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the operationalization of these shelters, however, there are three private shelters that are fully operational which are partly funded by the Government.

Trafficking and exploitation of Prostitution

37.Detailed information regarding this query will be provided in the next periodic report.

38.Namibia provided direct assistance for Victims of trafficking. Support and assistance included shelter services, medical, mental health, transport, educational assistance, reintegration and safe return.

39.The campaign continues throughout the country; the campaign was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation on 29 March 2019. The Campaign material included: Pens, Pencil Cases, Posters, Billboards, Lanyards, Wrist Bands with a hashtag “Be aware Namibians, Human Trafficking is real”. The campaign is being extended to all ports of entry.

40.The government through the support of International Organization for Migration has upgraded three shelters to accommodate both GBV survivors and victims of trafficking in Persons.

41.Detailed information regarding this query will be provided in the next periodic report.

Participation in Political and Public life

Women in politics and decision-making

42.Namibia has realised significant achievement in women in politics and decision-making positions notably the improvement of women representation in the National Assembly from 25.6% in 2014 to the current 41.7%; 48% of local councillors; 47% of Deputy ministers etc. Women also serve in the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairperson of the National Council, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly positions. Namibia received the 2017 Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) award, as recognition of the progress made in promoting gender equality, the empowerment of women, and promoting the representation of women in key decision-making positions. In addition, Namibia has been awarded the Best African Country Award for progress made in mainstreaming gender equality into the fight against corruption.

Decisions	Explanation and Key Actions
(i) Translate laws and policies into concrete actions such as legislative quotas on women’s representation in politics including the application of Article 5 of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development on Special Measures and their implementation.	Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998 measures are in place to achieve equal opportunity in employment in accordance with Article 10 and Article 23 of the Namibian Constitution; to provide for the establishment of the Employment Equity Commission; to redress through appropriate affirmative action plans the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by persons in in designated groups arising from past discriminatory laws and practices; to institute procedures to contribute towards the elimination of discrimination in employment; and to provide for matters incidental thereto. The National Gender Policy (2010–2020) also has a strategy that facilitate an enabling environment for women in decision-making positions by engaging them in gender sensitisation and by providing skills-training, mentoring and opportunities for women to play an active and vocal role in important decisions.
(ii) Document and share good practices and experiences on efforts to effectively implement policy provisions for strengthening women’s participation in politics and decision-making platforms.	The Government through the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) has in place a programme on women in politics and decision making in collaboration with International IDEA and hold workshops since 2014 to-date ones a year, with objectives to support the performance of women parliamentarians in the law-making, representation and oversight functions. Strengthen the capacity of women parliamentarians to engage in the functions of the parliament (law-making, representation and oversight); Enhance the understanding and knowledge of women parliamentarians on addressing gender issues in law-making, representation and oversight; Explore how women parliamentarians can collaborate in parliament and share “good practices” on the difference women can make through their parliamentary functions. Coach and mentor women parliamentarians on their parliamentary responsibilities and oversight. The Ruling Party SWAPO has put measure in place to allow equal representation for men and women using zebra style in their Party List, which allowed more women in National Assembly, however, this is not the same with the National Council.
(iv) Member States to continue encouraging female candidates to apply and to nominate suitable female candidates for the positions at the SADC Secretariat as they fall vacant.	Whenever vacant positions are shared by the SADC Secretariat, they are widely disseminated by the SADC Focal Point: Ministry of International Relations & Cooperation (MIRCO) to allow interested candidates to apply with an emphasis on women to apply for vacant positions.

Statistics on women in politics and decision making

Table 1

Women in politics

Category		Total Number of Seats/Positions	Number of Positions held by Women	Percentage of women (%)
Representation in Cabinet	Prime Ministers	1	1	100%
	Deputy PM	1	1	100%
	Cabinet Ministers	21	8	38%
	Assistant/Deputy Ministers	17	12	70.5%
Representation in Parliament:
National Assembly: Lower		104	46	44%
National Council: Upper		42	6	14.28%
Representation of Ambassadors		106	78	73.5%

Table 2

Women in management positions in the public sector

Category	Total Number of Positions	Number of Positions held by Women	Percentage of women (%)
Permanent Secretaries/Principal Secretaries/Director Generals/ Executive Directors	29	10	34%
Deputy Permanent Secretaries/Deputy Principal Secretaries/Deputy Director Generals/Deputy Executive Directors	47	19	40%
Directors	162	60	37%

Table 3

Women in the judiciary

Category	Total Number of Seats/Positions	Number of Positions held by Women	Percentage of women (%)
Registrars/Chief Justice	1	0	0%
President of the Courts	1	0	0%
Judges	21	7	33%
Registrars	1	1	100%
Chief Magistrate	1	1	100%
Magistrates	93	46	49.5%

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court bench consists of an all-male bench, with the occasional female judge appointed to act.

High Court: All correspondence must be addressed to the Executive Director the High Court bench consisted of eleven (11) males and three (3) females during 2016, therefore 79% male and 21 % female. The position however changed drastically during the past five years, thus resulting in the 2021 bench to consist of eleven (11) males and eight (8) females, thus having a 58% male representation and a 42% female representation.

Table 4

Women leaders in state owned enterprises

	Total Number of Positions	Number of Positions held by Women	Percentage of women (%)
Chief Executive Officers/General Managers in State Owned Enterprises	80	12	15%

Women’s economic empowerment

Table 5

Employment and Economic Decision-making

Unemployment rate	Total Number Unemployed	Number of Unemployed Women	Percentage of women unemployed (%)
Unemployment rate for women (as per the latest Labour Survey Report of 2018)	364 411	190 507	52.3%
What percentage of decision-making positions in key economic ministries are held by women from:	Total Number of Positions	Number of Positions held by Women	Percentage of women (%)
• Deputy Permanent/Principal Secretaries/Director Generals/Executive Directors,
• Permanent/Principal Secretaries/Director Generals/ Deputy Executive Directors,
• Assistant/Deputy Ministers, and to
• Ministers.
a) Finance
Minister	1	0	0
Deputy Minister	0	0	0
Executive Directors	1	1	100%
Deputy Executive Directors	0	0	0%
b) National Planning Commission
Minister	1	0	0
Deputy Minister	0	0	0
Executive Directors	1	1	100%
Deputy Executive Directors	1	0	0%
c) Defence
Minister	1	0	0
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	2	1	50%
Acting Deputy Executive Directors	1	0	0%
d) Justice
Minister	1	1	100%
Deputy Minister	0	0	0
Executive Directors	1	1	100
Deputy Executive Directors	0	0	0
e) Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation
Minister	1	1	100%
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	1	0	0
Deputy Executive Directors	1	1	100%
f) Industry and Commerce
Minister	1	1	100%
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	1	0	0
Deputy Executive Directors	1	1	50%
g) Mines
Minister	1	0	100%
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	1	0	0
Deputy Executive Directors	1	1	100%
h) Lands and Agriculture
Minister	1	0	0%
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	1	0	0%
Deputy Executive Directors	5 (only 2 filled)	1	50%
i ) Environment and Tourism
Minister	1	0	0%
Deputy Minister	0	0	0%
Executive Directors	1	0	0%
Deputy Executive Directors	1	0	0%
j) Fisheries and Marine Resources
Minister	1	0	0%
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	1	1	100%
Deputy Executive Directors	1	0	0%
k) Works and Transport
Minister	1	0	0%
Deputy Minister	1	0	0%
Executive Directors	1	1	100%
Deputy Executive Directors	3	2	67%
l) Information, Communication and Technology
Minister	1	0	0%
Deputy Minister	1	1	100%
Executive Directors	1	0	0%
Deputy Executive Directors	0	0	0

Nationality

43.There is no policy that requires both parents to be present at birth registration of their children. The practice is that for a parent to be registered as a parent, that parent’s consent is required. Some mothers try to register children using fathers’ consent or documentation of the fathers. This is not permissible. The following applies during birth registration:

44.For a child to be registered under his or her father, the father must attend to a birth registration point to be positively identified and also sign the birth registration form. (Only the mother’s details are recorded in the electronic birth notification system by the health officials during birth. The father’s details are only recorded during birth registration.)

45.a father who cannot be present during registration can also provide a certified copy of his Identity Document together with an affidavit acknowledging paternity and requesting that the child be registered as his child.

46.A possibility also exists that where the father is in a different town, the birth registration can be sent to the birth registration office in the town where he is. He then presents himself in person with his ID for positive identification. He can complete I sign the form there, after which the form is return to the Office near where the child’s mother is for the issuance of the birth certificate.

47.Where the above is not possible, women are encouraged to register the children on time under their own surnames as provided for by the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act, 1963. As soon as the father is available or ready, the father’s details are registered, and a new birth certificate is issued.

Education

48.Enrolment and completion rates of girls in the school system.

49.Enrolment of females: Pre-Primary to Grade 12 (EMIS 2019) is 757, 856.

Completion rates per grade

Grade	Total	Females
Average	77.7%	80.4%
Grade 1	78.7%	82.2%
Grade 2	84.7%	88.2%
Grade 3	86.7%	90.0%
Grade 4	75.4%	80.8%
Grade 5	79.3%	82.8%
Grade 6	82.3%	84.7%
Grade 7	87.5%	89.4%
Grade 8	66.7%	69.2%
Grade 9	59.2%	60.4%
Grade 10	58.5%	60.1%
Grade 11	96.1%	96.3%

Namibia University of Science and Technology

50.Presented below is NUST enrolment statistics for 2014 to 2020 academic years by sex, and STEM field. Moreover, the graduation statistics is presented by type of qualification obtained.

Enrolment Statistics

51.Table 1 below, indicates that NUST total student enrolment have decline from 12946 in year 2014 to12610 in 2020. The student enrolment was lowest in year 2017 at 11226. In 2020, 50% of students enrolled were females.

Table 1

Total enrolment statistics, student headcount per sex

Academic year	FEMALE	MALE	Grand Total
2014	6 978	5 968	12 946
2015	6 746	6 003	12 749
2016	6 505	6 248	12 753
2017	5 643	5 583	11 226
2018	5 533	5 702	11 235
2019	5 824	6 098	11 922
2020	6 265	6 345	12 610

52.Table 2 below, shows that NUST student enrolment in the STEM field have increased from 3680 in year 2014 to 5107 in 2020. In 2020, more than 60% of students who enrolled in STEM were females.

Table 2

Total enrolment statistics for STEM, student headcount per sex

Academic year	STEM		STEM Total
	Female	Male
2014	1 373	2 307	3 680
2015	1 390	2 434	3 824
2016	1 495	2 666	4 161
2017	1 540	2 714	4 254
2018	1 664	2 889	4 553
2019	1 850	3 106	4 956
2020	1 903	3 204	5 107

Graduation statistics

53.Table 3 below, indicates that NUST total graduates have increased from 1893 in year 2014 to 2079 in 2019, a decline to 1645 graduate in 2020 is observed. In 2020, 55% of graduates were females.

Table 3

Graduations per qualification type, sex and academic year

Type of qualifications obtained			2014			2015			2016			2017			2018			2019			2020
	F	M	T	F	M	T	F	M	T	F	M	T	F	M	T	F	M	T	F	M	T
Certificate	170	134	304	124	89	213	97	104	201	96	95	191	65	79	144	64	79	143	52	67	119
Higher Certificate	14	35	49	11	20	31	18	26	44	10	18	28	27	42	69	25	30	55	2	6	8
Bachelor’s Degree	890	532	1 422	866	532	1 398	857	552	1 409	769	536	1 305	671	532	1 203	633	564	1 197	709	561	1 270
Honours Degree	64	48	112	150	79	229	199	108	307	260	157	417	330	159	489	369	178	54 7	109	65	174
Postgraduate Cert.	10	13	23	13	9	22	17	12	29	31	35	66	28	6	34	17	18	35
Postgraduate Diploma	5	9	14	17	9	26	7	2	9	18	21	39	8	3	11
Master’s Degree	2	4	6	9	15	24	11	16	27	17	17	34	30	23	53	36	28	64	6	20	26
Doctoral Degree	1	1	1	2	3	2	2
Total	1 140	753	1 893	1 170	748	1 918	1 200	824	2 024	1 186	845	2 031	1 162	874	2 036	1 173	906	2 079	903	742	1 645

54.The Ministry of Education does Advocacy of the implementation of Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy policy in schools through:

•Further training of Namibia Safe School Framework (NSSF) – Training of Trainers of Trainers (ToT) to Regional School Councillors (RSC) and Regional Aids Committee in Education (RACE), and Kavango East Region;

•The Ministry has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, as lead Ministries of the school health program in the country. As a result, the multi-sector National School Health Task Force and Regional School Health Task Forces have been established in all 14 regions, promoting sectors’ close collaboration, harnessing resources, planning and coordinating the implementation of school health activities in the regions; and the teaching of Life Skills curriculum for (Grades 4–12) has been reviewed, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education has been fully integrated into all the curriculum;

•Regional training of ToT – National School Health Task Force and Regional School Health Task Forces underway (May–July 2021) in all regions;

•Ministry has conducted with Ministry of health an assessment of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management in Namibia (2020), in order to ascertain whether this is a push factor to school attendance and drop out, as well as the relationship between access, knowledge and pregnancy.

55.The implementation of the Policy for the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in the Education Sector continues and strongly emphasises prevention, along with support and encouragement to learners who are parents to complete their education. This policy allows pregnant learners to remain in school until four weeks before their due date, encouraging learners to keep up with their lessons and homework, and allowing the mother to return to school. Implementation of the Teenage Pregnancy Policy of 2009 on prevention and management of pregnancy is done through:

•Advocacy;

•More training;

•Monitoring plan in place;

•Ministry is currently working an assessing the impact on the policy, with the view of reviewing to improve implementation.

56.The Education Act 2001has been repealed, and replaced by the Basic Education Act, 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020). the Basic Education Act, 2020 prohibits all forms of violence including corporal punishment in any school environment. The Child Care Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015) further prohibits corporal punishment in the home setting. The following measures have been taken to implement the two Acts:

•Training of all teachers on NSSF – reinforce positive discipline;

•Circulars developed to enforce the laws and policies;

•School Rules – The Education Act, 2001 is very clear that school rules and code of conduct are developed in a consultative manner and are signed off by the Regional Directors. They do not permit or condone any violence nor slut-shaming and victim-blaming and protect the rights of learners and teachers;

•Teacher conduct – The Ministry has followed the Public Service Staff Rules (PSSR) in terms of disciplinary procedures for any teachers implicated in inappropriate conduct with learners. Teachers who were found guilty were given the appropriate disciplinary action according to the public service staff rules. Teachers that resigned during the disciplinary process are listed and would not be considered for employment anywhere within the Ministry for eight years.

57.Steps were taken to address reported discrimination, bullying, and violence, particularly against San girls in schools:

•The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has various programmes that equip learners with the appropriate skills, knowledge, and attitudes to protect themselves and live a productive life. The curriculum deals with creating a tolerant, respectful, and peaceful society. Gender-based violence is a cross-curricular issue addressed from the multiple angles of factual knowledge in various content and skills-oriented subjects. The Ministry has also developed the Namibia Safe Schools Framework (NSSF) to promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of learners and other school stakeholders in Namibia. The program is meant to assist the School Health and Safety stakeholders in implementing safe practices and programmes in the schools. It further provides teachers and other school personnel with practical tools and ideas for improving safety levels in schools in a step-by-step manner and guides them on how to promote safe and supportive school communities.

Employment

58.In light of the Committee’s previous concluding observations (CEDAW/C/NAM/CO/4-5, para. 32) expressing concern at the high levels of unemployment among women and the State party’s acknowledgement that unemployment remains a challenge, particularly among women of working age, please provide specific information on measures taken to.

59.The Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007, requires employers to institutive positive measures to further the employment opportunities for persons in designated groups, which may include measures such as:

•ensuring that existing training programmes contribute to furthering the objects of this Act;

•establishing new training programmes aimed at furthering the objects of this Act; and, giving preferential treatment in employment decisions to suitably qualified persons from designated groups to ensure that such persons are equitably represented in the workforce of a relevant employer.

60.The consultation with the stakeholders was concluded and the tripartite Labour Advisory Council advised the Minister in 2019 that Namibia could ratify the Convention. In October 2020, the Namibian Parliament ratified the Convention and the state party deposited the instrument with the ILO in December 2020. The Convention will become binding to Namibia on 9 December 2021.

61.The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation revised the Minimum Wage with effect as from 1 October 2018 with a 4.1 percentage based on the inflation rate plus 1%. The amount was thus increased from N$1 502.05 per month to N$1 564.39 per month.

62.The Ministry is ensuring compliance by conducting inspections as per annual plan and conducting educational awareness campaigns in different languages through radios. Most of the domestic workers are aware of the amount of the promulgated minimum wage.

63.The compliance level as per the latest findings is more in urban areas than in rural. The ministry is intensifying its awareness campaigns in rural areas to increase the level of compliance. In addition, the employers of domestic workers are required to submit records and returns on a yearly basis.

64.The following information are required: detailed particulars of employers, employee’s nationality, date of employment, employed on permanent or temporary basis, hours of work per day, days of work per week, basic salary, and number of leave taken since November of the last reporting period and if employment has been terminated. The collected information, at any time can be compiled and analysed by the Ministry. The information also facilitates easier access to employers’ premises during inspections.

65.In order to ensure protection of employees in the informal economy, the extension of the provision of maternity leave to the informal economy is under discussions. Social Security Commission submitted, to the Minister for consideration, amendments to the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of employees in the informal economy.

66.The tripartite Labour Advisory Council (LAC) established a working committee to assist with the transition from informal to formal economy within the framework of Recommendation no. 204 of the ILO concerning the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy.

67.Cases of sex discrimination are only recorded when disputes are lodged with the Office of the Labour Commissioner. In 2020, the Office recorded five (5) cases of sexual harassment. The findings of the Rapid Assessment Study were publicized widely as part of Government’s campaign for the ratification of Convention 190. The Government, after consultation with the tripartite Labour Advisory Council submitted the Convention 190 for ratification to Parliament in October 2020. Namibia was the first country in Africa and third in the world to ratify Convention 190 on 9 December 2020. The Ministry has setup a Tripartite Working Committee to spearhead the implementation of Convention no. 190.

Health

68.To increase antenatal care access, antenatal care services are provided free of charge in all public health facilities in the country.

69.Family Planning and contraceptives are available in all public health facilities across the country and are provided free of charge to all in need.

70.In Namibia abortion is legally allowed to be performed only when there is a threat to the pregnant woman’s life, when pregnancy poses a threat to the pregnant woman’s physical or mental health; and when pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or when there is fetal impairment.

71.Forced sterilization of HIV positive women is prohibited by the Constitution of Namibia which is the supreme law of the country. The Supreme Court has ruled against the Government in the case of LM and Others v Government of the Republic of Namibia Case No: SA 49/2012 citing lack of informed consent due to mental capacity during labour.

72.Namibia addresses the prevalence of HIV and AIDS through strategic expansion of HIV prevention and treatment services, at the community level, and the swift implementation of forward-leading HIV policies.

73.To address sexual abuse of women and girls, Namibia continues to implement the Combating of Rape Act and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.

74.Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) are provided in 70% of the thirty-five health districts. An Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) training manual was developed and 139 health workers from all 14 regions were trained on the use of the manual; Guidelines for Adolescents Living with HIV were developed; Information Education communication (IEC) material for the mass media campaign on the prevention of teenage pregnancy were also developed and seven (7) Youth Friendly clinics were established at selected health centres and cervical screening was conducted for adolescent girls at health centres.

Disadvantaged groups of women

75.The Government offers services such as education, employment, health, housing, and sanitation to marginalized and people with disabilities, through social protection programmes in the office of the Presidency.

Disaster risk reduction and Climate change

76.Detailed information regarding this query will be provided in the next periodic report.

Rural women

77.The available data indicates that a total of 67 families of the San communities were resettled under the Settlement Programme. However, these households were only resettled, and no additional special programmes are offered to them by the Ministry of Land Reform. The Otjozondjupa Regional Council, through the Grootfontein Constituency Office provides the San community with the drought relief food and also funds projects for the San community such as vegetable gardens, small stock (goas) farming and poultry (chicken) projects. Under the Communal Land Rights Registration Programme in the Mangetti Dune area of Tsumkwe West, a total of 270 land rights have been registered in the following villages: Danger, Kankundi M’kata, Meduletu, Kukurushe, Mugoro, Luhebu, Xurube and Soweto. Additionally, in Mangetti Dune area, the Ministry of Land Reform assists with crop farming through the Mangetti Dune project. The Ministry provided ploughing services and provision of seeds to the San community. The Mangetti Dune Project was funded annually and is registered at the National Planning Commission and receive annual funding.

78.Updated and detailed information regarding this query will be provided in the next periodic report.

Marriage and Family Relations

79.The process of promulgating the Marriage Act and the Divorce Act is still at the consultation stage with stakeholders. As per our response to paragraph, there are no plans to abolish polygamy. Article 66 of the Namibian Constitution recognises polygamy an integral part of African culture and the state party does not recognize this practice as tantamount to a harmful cultural practice.

80.The Communal Land Reform Act allows women, particularly widows, to inherit communal land from their husband’s deceased estate. Although there is no specific age for marriage under a customary union, it is a crime to marry off any female aged 15 years and less. The Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 has placed measures in place to protect children from harmful cultural and religious practices, and these measures apply to unions under customary law.