Oshikoto: Women in the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) gathered at the Oshikoto Police Regional Headquarters on Tuesday to celebrate the 16th anniversary of Women in Policing under the theme 'Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future of Women in Policing.' The event served as both a celebration and a strategic reflection on the progress and impact of female officers as 'boots on the ground.'

According to Namibia Press Agency, Oshikoto Regional Commander, Commissioner Ndafudha lifo, emphasised that the anniversary was not merely a social gathering but an important opportunity to review the tangible achievements of women in policing. She highlighted that the women's focus on high-visibility operations - including strategic roadblocks, foot patrols, and hotspot interventions - has delivered significant results in crime prevention. Lifo further added that sustained community engagement and awareness campaigns have strengthened the relationship between the police and the public, resulting in a proactive increase in the reporting of gender-based violence (GBV) and stock theft cases.

'As women in uniform, we remain the front line of defence against the scourge of gender-based violence and violence against children,' lifo said. She urged officers to continue handling every docket and every victim with the culture of fairness, sensitivity, and anonymity they have committed to building in the region.

Tsumeb Police Station Commander, Chief Inspector Sisco Kotze, described the NamPol Women Network as a vital platform for empowering women, eliminating discrimination, and promoting gender equality and equity within the force. She noted that the network aims to empower female officers while fostering stronger collaboration with their male colleagues to address gender-related challenges in the workplace, including sexual harassment, hostile working environments, and obstacles to promotions and equal opportunities. Kotze further stated that the network is developing strategies to increase women's representation in specialised units and in key decision-making structures.