Geingos: We need to address mindset stereotypes on gender equality

Former First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, has highlighted the importance of addressing stereotypical mindsets as a crucial step towards achieving a fair and equal society. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa at the launch of the 2025 African Transformation Report, Geingos emphasized the need to bridge the gap between different economic strata within African countries. She pointed out that there are often two distinct economies in these countries, with a minority operating in one that is defined by ethnic or racial fault lines, while the majority struggles in the other. Geingos stressed the importance of creating a bridge between these economies to ensure that more people from the less privileged sector can access opportunities in the more prosperous one. She underscored the significance of co-creating solutions with marginalized communities, highlighting the need for evidence-based and community-led approaches. Geingos also emphasized the importance of addressing multifaceted challenges in a holistic manner, rather than focusing on one-dimensional solutions. When discussing gender equality, particularly in male-dominated industries like finance, energy, and technology, Geingos emphasized the need to dismantle the structural barriers that prevent women from entering and thriving in these spaces. She highlighted the disproportionate representation of female graduates in these fields but noted the lack of female leadership at the top. Geingos called for the removal of overt and covert barriers that hinder women's progress and for a shift in societal mindsets towards viewing women as valuable and capable partners. She acknowledged that changing societal attitudes takes time but emphasized the importance of starting the journey towards gender equality. Geingos cited the example of Namibia, where the appointment of a female commander-in-chief in the armed forces and a female head of state are steps towards normalizing female representation in leadership positions. She called for increased representation of women at all levels, noting that the public sector in Namibia has been leading in this regard compared to the private sector. In response to a question about transformative policy actions, Geingos proposed leveraging state procurement rules to allocate a percentage of contracts to female-owned businesses and young people. She described this as a low-hanging fruit that can bring about transformational change in promoting female ownership and inclusion in business. Geingos stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that includes access to markets, capacity building, and value chain integration to support the success of female entrepreneurs. She concluded by emphasizing the urgency of addressing gender equality issues in Africa and the importance of proactive policy measures to drive meaningful change.