Bureaucratic delays, lack of coordination, poor organisation and institutional silos often deny citizens access to justice.

These were the remarks of the ||Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze at the opening of the three-day human rights workshop held at Keetmanshoop.

The workshop, hosted by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, aims to empower residents with knowledge of their constitutional rights and the legal tools available to protect and promote those rights.

These include how to address issues such as gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, and child care and protection within communities.

"Some communities are captured and are suffocating. It is my sincere hope that communities are engaged directly in the absence of their respective leaderships. The reality of all we will be discussing rests with them," said Gertze.

Gertze called for inclusive access to service delivery and justice, highlighting that persons with disabilities face barriers while women and children remain vulnerable to violence, abuse and exploitation.

He therefore suggested that the workshop should have included voices from all stakeholders to help build accountable and inclusive institutions.

"Inclusivity is not about inviting people to the table as an afterthought. It is about ensuring that the table is designed with everyone in mind from the beginning."

The Director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of Namibia and Angola, Anna Hoffman-Kwanga, emphasised that although Namibia has established the most democratic foundations since independence, the country continues to face inequality, poverty, unemployment and limited access to services.

"That is why this workshop is so important. By strengthening awareness of human rights, improving access to justice and fostering dialogue between communities and institutions, we contribute to a Namibia that's more inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of all its people."