Namibia pledges women’s aviation support

Namibians from all walks of life gathered at Droombos on Friday, 6 March 2026, to celebrate and reiterate their commitment to the empowerment of women in aviation. The Women in Aviation Namibia summit focused on tracking tangible progress and providing structured support within the sector.

Held on the eve of International Women’s Day, the event featured a keynote address from President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, delivered by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare. The President reaffirmed Namibia’s unwavering commitment to gender advancement, stating, "We will continue aligning national policies with regional and international frameworks promoting gender equality, including our obligations under SADC and the African Union."

Merit-based advancement

The Head of State emphasised the need to track the number of women entering aviation training, advancing into leadership, and driving innovation. However, Dr Nandi-Ndaitwah cautioned against favouritism at the expense of the boy child, drawing on her own experience as Namibia’s fifth President.

"I was elected on merit, not because I am a woman," she noted. "As women, we should not seek positions of responsibility simply because we are women; we should do so because we are capable members of society. You are in aviation because you excel exceptionally as human beings." On a personal note, the President shared that her childhood dream was to become a pilot, expressing immense pride in the Namibian women who have realised that ambition.

Policy and structural support

Works and minister Veikko Nekundi highlighted that the national development blueprint, Vision 2030, provides a strong foundation for this transformation. He remarked that aviation must reflect the values of prosperity and equality to ensure women contribute fully to innovation, safety, and competitiveness.

Gender minister Emma Kantema underlined that women remain under-represented in technical roles such as engineering and air traffic control. She argued that closing this gap requires "structured pathways, mentorship, and accountability" rather than mere aspiration.

The summit featured contributions from former Miss Universe Michelle McLean, Namibia Airports Company (NAC) board chairperson Dr Leake Hangala, and Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) board deputy chairperson Martha Hitenanye. A testimonial video also showcased the achievements of female student pilots, engineers, and security managers, serving as a reminder to Namibian girls that their dreams are fuelled by opportunity rather than bound by tradition.