Women’s network is growing stronger

The conference of the Namibian Police Women’s Network has grown from strength to strength since its inception and now includes all women in the uniformed services.

Ladies from the Namibian Navy, the Prison Services, as well as those working for municipal law enforcement joined the women from the Namibian Police for the annual conference of the network in the Erongo Region to celebrate their empowerment.

The chairperson of the organisation, Chief Inspector Anna-Marie Nainda, introduced the organisation to new members from other uniformed services and also introduced the patron lady of the network, Claudia Ramos Lofty-Eaton.

“Women have slowly but surely made strides in creating space for themselves and we have an opportunity to speak and make a difference. Keeping in mind that woman had to struggle to get where they are today, especially for women in uniform and especially in an organisation like the Namibian Police where the role of women are finally being understood and appreciated,” she said.

Nainda said the network is the product of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Organisation undertaking to broaden the spectrum for women in the police forces of the Southern African Development Community. The organisation provides a platform to share skills, experience and values, as well as learning best practices within the various communities making up society in the SADC.

She said the Namibian Network aims to uplift women in uniform, to give them an equal footing in representation, to ensure the best possible education and training and to promote social responsibility amongst women from all walks of life. The organisation further aims to give support to women in uniform from other countries when deployed on peace-keeping missions in foreign countries.

Ramos Lofty-Eaton said that women determine their own success.

“It is important for all women to accept their bigger responsibility and I challenge all women to become part of an organisation like this to become part of the success which comes with it. You are the backbone of Namibia’s security and for that reason women should not believe themselves to be less than the men they work with. The days are gone where women only do what society expects of them, while they can grow professionally and still be providers and mothers. The biggest impediment for any woman is self-doubt and negative thoughts,” she said.