Windhoek: Namibia on Tuesday launched the 'Africa Educates Her' campaign in collaboration with the African Union's International Centre for Girls' and Women's Education (AU-CIEFFA), reaffirming continental and national efforts to keep girls in school and strengthen their educational opportunities.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the launch brought together learners, educators, civil society and government officials under the theme 'Keep girls in school, empower their futures.' The initiative supports the AU mission to safeguard girls' rights to education, especially in emergencies and underserved communities.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Executive Director of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) Lydia Indombo, MGECW Chief Social Worker Clemencia Kavita said Namibia has made progress in expanding access to education but must confront the persistent barriers limiting girls' participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

'Girls possess the talent and motivation,' she said. 'What holds them back are structural inequities that restrict their opportunities in scientific and technical fields. This campaign urges us to dismantle those barriers.'

She added that girls' education is fundamental to national development. 'When a girl is educated, a nation is uplifted. The future of our economy depends on nurturing their potential in STEM,' Kavita noted.

Country focal persons Maggy Katimba and Hilma Amakutuwa, representing AU-CIEFFA, provided the continental context of the campaign, highlighting its second-phase focus on reinforcing safe, gender-responsive learning environments and promoting girls' involvement in STEM disciplines central to climate resilience, digital innovation and health science.

They emphasised that Namibia's STEM-focused rollout aims to close gaps that continue to exclude young women from crucial fields of national growth.

Kavita appealed for stronger collaboration across ministries, civil society, private sector actors and communities to ensure that no girl's education is disrupted by poverty, stereotypes or early marriage.

The campaign was officially launched by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, in partnership with AU-CIEFFA, marking Namibia's entry into Phase 2 of the continental initiative.