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Marianne Young

Marianne Young

High Commissioner, Windhoek

Part of UK in Namibia

6th March 2015 Windhoek, Namibia

Making it happen for International Women’s Day in Namibia

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Make It Happen”. Yesterday, I had the privilege to celebrate it in the presence of a group of impressive Namibian women who have all made it happen in their respective fields of diplomacy, financial services, media, human rights advocacy and government.

HE Deniz Cakar, Turkish Ambassador to Namibia, Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nangula Uaandja, MFA.
HE Deniz Cakar, Turkish Ambassador to Namibia, Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nangula Uaandja, PWC.

Joining me for a special lunchtime discussion on issues affecting women in Namibia today were Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi; Gwen Lister, founder of The Namibian newspaper and free media advocate; Nangula Uaandja, Senior Partner for Price Coopers Waterhouse and Business Woman of the Year 2013; Rachel Coomer, Public Outreach Manager for the Legal Assistance Centre; and my French and Turkish colleagues, HE Jacquline Bassa-Mazzoni and HE Deniz Cakar. We were also joined by two male colleagues, who seemed slightly in awe of the strong gathering of female leadership, but nevertheless contributed to what turned out to be a lively discussion.

Rachel Coomer, Legal Assistance Centre, HE Jacqueline Bassa-Mazzoni, French Ambassador to Namibia, HE Marianne Young, British High Commissioner to Namibia, Gwen Lister, chairperson of the Namibia Media Trust.
Rachel Coomer, Legal Assistance Centre, HE Jacqueline Bassa-Mazzoni, French Ambassador to Namibia, HE Marianne Young, British High Commissioner to Namibia, Gwen Lister, chairperson of the Namibia Media Trust.

International Women’s Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in our local communities and around the world, while calling for greater equality. Our discussions yesterday were beautifully shaped around Rachel’s fascinating presentation on “What it is like to be female in Namibia at 25 years of independence in Namibia”.

Rachel helps run the gender and advocacy work of Namibia’s Legal Assistance Centre, Namibia’s public interest law organisation that campaigns on local legal issues.

Rachel Coomer presenting the Child Care Protection Bill during International Women’s Day celebrations on 5 March 2015
Rachel Coomer presenting the Child Care Protection Bill during International Women’s Day celebrations on 5 March 2015

Her presentation was an education for us all.

551 laws have been made since Namibia gained its independence in 1990. A number of good laws have been put in place to address the country’s high levels of gender based violence. However, few have been family law reforms, meaning that women and children continue to be vulnerable. Draft bills that have not progressed for various reasons include: divorce, marital property, customary marriage and intestate inheritance. No bills have yet been drafted to tackle cohabitation and stalking.

Our discussions touched on proposals to introduce a minimum wage for domestic workers: were the rates proposed realistic, enough to live on, really going to cause redundancy rather than greater security as some news stories claimed? How would the plans impact those on both sides of the service transaction? We moved on to cover prospects to increase maternity leave from the current 3 month provision. How would this effect productivity levels? Would it help tackle the country’s social cohesion challenges? It was a rich and fascinating exchange of views and experiences on matters that directly impacted Namibian women’s ability to ‘make it happen’.

One very good piece of news that we were able to celebrate was yesterday’s passing of the Childcare and Protection Bill, which significantly strengthens the rights of children and provision of services to support them in Namibia.

Another big change on the horizon is the imminent swearing in of a new parliament, which will be made up of 42% female members on 20 March. This follows the introduction of mixed gender party lists for major Namibian political parties. This marks a major shakeup of the local political scene and significant step forward for women’s empowerment and equality in the southern African region.

Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi told us that major training was underway to help prepare the new incoming members of parliament to tackle their new legislative responsibilities effectively. I wish them well and look forward to engaging with them once the dust settles after Namibia’s Silver Jubilee Independence celebrations on 21 March and they start “Making It Happen” in their new roles!

About Marianne Young

Marianne Young is the current British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia. She arrived in Windhoek in June 2011 and presented her credentials to the President of the Republic of…

Marianne Young is the current British High Commissioner to the
Republic of Namibia. She arrived in Windhoek in June 2011 and presented
her credentials to the President of the Republic of Namibia on 3rd
August.
Mrs Young joined the FCO in 2001 following a career in international
journalism, including time spent running an Asian maritime press office
in Singapore and a traineeship on the UK’s Times newspaper.
Her first role in the FCO was as a Press Officer in News Department,
after which she went on to be Head of the Great Lakes Section in Africa
Directorate and then Head of the East Africa & Horn Section.
In 2005, she became the first Head of Communications for the Engaging with the Islamic World Group.
She moved to the British High Commission in Pretoria in February 2007
and served as the Head of the External Political Section and Deputy
High Commissioner to the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland.
Mrs Young moved across to the British High Commission in Windhoek in
June 2011, and presented her credentials to the President of the
Republic of Namibia on 3rd August 2011.
On her appointment as British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia, Mrs Young said:
“I am honoured and delighted to be appointed Her Majesty’s High
Commissioner to Namibia. I look forward to working to strengthen the
many commercial, political and cultural ties between our two countries,
and to help the many British nationals who holiday there. My family and I
are particularly thrilled to be remaining in southern Africa – and to
have the opportunity to explore this beautiful country further and
discover more about its people and culture.”
Curriculum vitae

Full name:
Marianne Young

Married to:
Barry Young

Children:
Two daughters and one son

 
June 2011
Windhoek, British High Commissioner

2007 – 2011
 
Pretoria, Head of External Political Section and DHC for the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland

2005 – 2006
FCO, Head of Communications, Engaging with the Islamic World Group

2004 – 2005
FCO, Head of East Africa & Horn Section, Africa Directorate

3/2003 – 8/2003
FCO, Head of Great Lakes Section, Africa Directorate

2002 – 2003
FCO, Press Officer, Press Office

2001 – 2002
FCO, Departmental Report Editor, Press Office

2001
Joined FCO

2000-2001
Senior Correspondent, Fairplay Group, UK

1995-2000
Staff Editor and then Asia Editor, Fairplay Group Singapore

1994-1995
Graduate Trainee at The Times newspaper, UK

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