RUNDU, Namibia – Hon. Emma Theofelus, Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology was presented with the 2022 United Nations Population Award medal and diploma as the individual laureate during the World Population Day commemoration held in Rundu on 11 July 2022.
Hon. Theofelus was selected in the individual category for the 2022 UN Population Award. A virtual award ceremony was held on 13 June 2022. She was selected for her work advocating for women’s empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Namibia.
The 2022 UN Population awardee is one of Africa's youngest cabinet ministers, and has used her youth-friendly perspective, and her experience as an advocate for sexual and reproductive health, to directly address the country’s adolescents.
In her capacity as Deputy Minister, she was tasked with leading the country’s public communications campaign on preventive steps against the COVID-19 pandemic in Namibia. As a Member of Parliament, she led on the identification of feminine hygiene products 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.
The award which consists of a gold medal and a diploma and a monetary prize of US$ 12,500 (ceremonial cheque) was handed over to her by the UNFPA Namibia Representative, Ms. Sheila Roseau.
During her acceptance speech, Hon. Theofelus gave kudos to her family and UNFPA for being a powerful support system.
“When I joined AfriYAN as an adolescent, I knew that I wanted to help build a Namibia and to some extent, an Africa that was more responsive to issues affecting adolescents and youth. The realities of teenage pregnancy from the time I was in primary school were too real for me to ignore.”
The deputy minister vowed to redouble her efforts and collaborate with others in ensuring that period poverty is eradicated and to continue playing a pivotal role in addressing larger population matters such as sexual and gender-based violence, child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
This award is not mine alone. It is Namibia’s award because we are an exemplary country in leading a gradually gender-equal nation.
“I wish to dedicate this award to the people of Namibia, especially the young women and girls who continue to break barriers and hold their own in a world that does not put them first. This award is not mine alone. It is Namibia’s award because we are an exemplary country in leading a gradually gender-equal nation,” she noted.
UNFPA Namibia Representative, Roseau congratulated the deputy minister for her dedication to improving the lives of young people, women and girls in Namibia and globally.
“Hon. Theofelus is a fervent champion of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights and the need to end violence against women, adolescent girls and children in Namibia,” she said.
“We take this opportunity to join the UN system in Namibia and to appreciate the special commitment and support of Hon. Theofelus to the UN Namibia and its mandate on young people and adolescent girls. We will continue to work with her and other advocates to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.” she added.
