Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called for stronger parliamentary oversight in implementing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

She was addressing the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament, hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila noted that while some progress has been made since the adoption of the United Nations Security Council resolution on Women, Peace, and Security in the year 2000, challenges remain. These include the continued under-representation of women in peace processes and limited funding for conflict prevention efforts that involve women.

She reminded delegates that Namibia chaired the UN Security Council when the resolution was adopted and said the country has since introduced measures aimed at advancing the agenda.

These include legislation on gender-based violence, gender integration in peacekeeping training, and reforms within the security sector. She added that Cabinet has achieved gender parity and that the country’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security was adopted in 2019, covering a five-year period ending in 2024.

The plan, she said, includes both traditional and emerging security concerns such as cyber threats, climate-related risks, and displacement.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stated that parliaments have a role to play in ensuring accountability through gender-responsive budgeting, oversight of policy implementation, and laws that protect women in different settings.

She also highlighted the importance of involving young people in peace efforts, noting the link between the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and youth participation.

The summit brought together women speakers of parliament from various countries to assess the implementation of the resolution and to explore the role of legislatures in promoting peace and inclusion.