During a panel discussion in Katutura this week under the banner "The Role And Expectation of Women for the 2014 Elections in Namibia", women leaders in Namibia said they are working towards educating other women to get more involved in politics and be more aware of their rights, factors that affect women and their empowerment.

The public discussion, which was attended by members of Parliament, councillors, church leaders and members of the community, was aimed at "empowering, motivating, promoting, appreciating and encouraging women emancipation and expectations of women for the upcoming 2014 elections".

Dennis Zaire, the programme officer at Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, told the audience that he believed women were born to be leaders and encouraged women empowerment.

"We are willing to help and empower women and girls in Namibia," he said.

Cloudina Venaani, who officially opened the lecture likened a woman to a tea bag "you cannot see how strong she is. I am encouraging women and our girl-child to see the importance of a woman and promote the change towards gender equality in Namibia," she said. "Women are often left out of leadership positions which is important and we need to empower ourselves."

The panel consisted of Ester Muinjangue, a social worker at the University of Namibia, politician Elma Dienda and Selma Shilongo, acting secretary for women's league in the Rally for Democracy and Progress.

The panelists stressed the role of women in leadership, the importance of voter education for women and gender equality.

"Come 2015 we want to have a 50/50 representation of men and women in Parliament," said Muinjangue. "We are being blind folded and we let men manipulate us."

Shilongo urged women to move away from being followers and start being leaders.

Gender and media activist Sarry Xoagus-Eises gave an update on the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and also spoke about gender abuse, absence of resources, education and legal rights.