Namibia’s 2nd Annual Women in Road Safety Conference and Expo was held in Mariental, Hardap Region, on the 18th and 19th September 2019.
The Conference was attended by over 100 participants from various regional governors, local government representatives, law enforcement agencies, representatives from the Road Accident Fund South Africa, MVA Fund Botswana as well as representatives from the legal and business fraternity.
Held in partnership with the Automobile Association of Namibia (AAN) under the theme ‘Women Influence for Safe Roads’, the main objectives of the conference were to instill in all road users a sense of personal responsibility and prioritization of road safety, with special focus on women to be active participants in the reduction of road carnage in Namibia.
As host of the conference, Governor of the Hardap Region, Esme Isaack, acknowledged the increased interest and involvement by women in Namibia through stepping up the challenge as lead advocates for road safety in SADC as “when you educate mothers and women, you have reached and empowered a nation.”
The conference included various presentations on topics namely:
- The state of road safety in Namibia in line with the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020;
- Strengthening of political sponsorship towards 50% reduction by 2030,
- Strengthening of the Legal Framework in support of road safety;
- Impact of human, vehicle and road factors on road safety;
- Law enforcement with consequences drives positive road user behavior;
- Regional perspectives on women driving the road safety agenda and a testimonial by a road crash survivor.
The event included a street procession with learners from various junior primary schools, emergency rescue vehicles, law enforcers and bikers, as well as road safety demonstrations, presentations on road safety, exhibitions and the ground-breaking of a Children Traffic Play Park in Mariental.
“As women it is for us to find our voice for safer roads -for the safety and protection of our families and communities and to minimize the impact of road crashes on our national economy.
I urge every woman in our country, to initiate road safety activities and champion road safety at community, corporate and regional levels, as well as relevant stakeholders to establish terms of reference for such championships. I also challenge every woman in leadership or position of influence to advocate for road safety at home, community and the workplace to embrace the role that we should play in the interest of saving lives on our roads.
Martins-Hausiku, Chief Executive Officer, The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund of Namibia
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation covered the Conference, and their report can be watched in the video below.
AA Namibia is actively involved in the FIA’s Action for Road Safety campaign, and promotes the involvement of Women in Road Safety, and encourages all Women to become Road Safety Ambassadors!
