WINDHOEK, Namibia - “I had a reflection moment on how I could empower fellow Namibians who are doing the work just like me, and in some instances even more work than I could ever do as an individual. For many other reasons, I concluded that money would be the right approach,” said Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus.
Hon. Theofelus was speaking at a ceremony on 23 October 2022, where she awarded seven youth social enterprises - for their outstanding contributions to sexual and reproductive health matters - with her prize money from the 2022 United Nations Population Award.
The youth social enterprises were selected from among 170 applications received by the Office of the First Lady and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Namibia Country Office.
Hon Theofelus won the award in June this year for her work in advocating for women’s empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Namibia.
As a deputy minister, she led the country’s public communication campaign on COVID-19 preventions in Namibia, and as a Member of Parliament, her motion enabled feminine hygiene products to be identified as a tax-free commodity.
Prior to her appointment, she served as a member of the Namibia chapter of the African Youth and Adolescents Network (AfriYAN), a network of young people championed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). AfriYAN aims to increase meaningful youth participation in Africa's development. While there, Hon. Theofelus advocated for adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health.
I decided that although very little, I know that young and budding Namibian entrepreneurs are many a time already equipped with skills and the know-how on how to run a business or enterprise. Thus, it only comes down to a few things, technical mentorship and advice and money.
“I wish to see equitable access to sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) services for all Namibians, and a reduction in teenage pregnancies and HIV infections in the country. I do not shy away from using my voice to raise issues I consider important, and I try as much as possible to be as progressive as possible on issues affecting us as Namibians and young people in particular,” said Theofelus.
“I decided that although very little, I know that young and budding Namibian entrepreneurs are many a time already equipped with skills and the know-how on how to run a business or enterprise. Thus, it only comes down to a few things, technical mentorship and advice and money,” she stated
“It is very true that almost nothing beats experience in the business. Unfortunately, I do not have that prowess. Those we leave to accomplished business gurus like our First Lady; capital to start a business or an investment to scale a business. I do not claim that the cash prizes we give out today will scale these young entrepreneurs to great great heights. But I do know that it will give them the confidence boost not to give up on being entrepreneurs, and for them to continue with attempts of solving our social challenges at the same time,” she added.
Namibia’s First Lady (FLON), Madame Monica Geingos congratulated the winners for committing to putting in the work to make a change in Namibia and pledged to match the prize money given out.
Also speaking at the event, the UN Namibia Resident Coordinator Sen Pang commended Hon. Theofelus for giving back to the young people “with this notable initiative of awarding fellow young people who are making contributions in the same space.”
“Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is not only a crucial part of healthcare, but they also continue to be an essential element for achieving gender equality and promoting women’s rights,” he stated.
