Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Gender activists have expressed concerns about Namibia’s maternity leave system, which they claim is failing to support working mothers and violating legal provisions.
According to the activists, many women only receive 50% of their basic wage during maternity leave, despite Namibian law entitling them to up to 100% of their monthly salary, capped at N$15 000.
In addition, the activists are calling for immediate policy reforms to address these disparities, increased awareness of women’s legal rights, and stronger enforcement of existing laws to hold employers accountable.
Human rights activist Linda Baumann criticised the current practice, calling it “a glaring injustice” that undermines women’s economic empowerment.
“This practice not only violates the law but also unfairly penalises women for becoming mothers, perpetuating economic inequality,” she said.
Baumann also highlighted that Namibia falls short of international standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which recommends at least 14 weeks of maternity leave with full wage replacement.
“In Namibia, many women are forced to survive on half their basic wage while on maternity leave, creating financial hardships for themselves and their families,” she added.
Rosa Namises, another gender equality activist, pointed out that employers often do not register domestic workers and cleaners with the Social Security Commission (SSC), further exacerbating the problem.
“This puts women in vulnerable positions. We need to make sure they are empowered and have clear access to information,” Namises said.
Namises went on to discuss the wider issue of paternity leave, which Namibia has yet to implement.
“We’ve been discussing paternity leave, but it’s a complex issue that has yet to be fully addressed. It’s something that needs to be brought up again,” she said.
Regain Trust Policy and Advocacy Officer, Nsozi Mwazi, has also expressed support for reforms, backing a motion tabled last year by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member Winnie Moongo.
The motion calls for maternity leave to be increased to five months with full salary pay, along with paternity leave and breastfeeding facilities.
“This aids women’s economic empowerment and gender equality,” Mwazi said.
Mwazi also criticised the N$15 000 cap on maternity benefits, saying it unfairly affects higher-earning women.
“This limit discriminates against women who earn above that amount. Mothers end up losing out and would rather use their sick leave days than claim Social Security because it just doesn’t help,” Mwazi said.
She argued that the system discourages women from pursuing careers if they want to have children.
“Women are being forced to choose between motherhood and career progression, and it’s contributing to the high number of single-mother households.
Last week, the programme officer at the Namibian Rural Women Assembly, Toini Amaambo, noted that the disparities between the public and private sectors exacerbate the problem.
“In the public sector, policies are generally clear, but the private sector presents challenges, especially in offering full maternity benefits,” Amaambo said.
She also criticised the N$15 000 cap on maternity benefits, stating it leaves higher earners at a disadvantage.
The issue has gained attention following a letter sent by affirmative repositioning (AR) movement leader Job Amupanda to the minister of gender equality and social welfare on 27 August.
The letter, sent through Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, challenges the SSC’s practice of paying only 50% of the basic wage during maternity leave, claiming it violates the Labour Act 11 of 2007 and the Social Security Act 34 of 1994.
“This practice significantly impacts the livelihoods of female employees and amounts to a form of punishment for bringing life into this nation,” the letter states.
Amupanda’s legal team has called for the ministry to amend what they describe as a “prejudicial policy.”
Efforts to reach the minister of gender equality and social welfare, Doreen Sioka, for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
