SCHOOL READINESS INITIATIVE
In January 2018 the Roger Federer Foundation started with the start-up phase of its first School Readiness Initiative in accordance of its new strategy 2019-2025 in Namibia.

Their vision is to enhance school readiness in a systemic manner in the country and give children a better start in primary school through ensuring a smoother transition from ECD into primary school. This will be done by using innovative approaches, making all relevant stakeholders accountable and with the use of digital and self-guided learning tools.

STRATEGIC GOAL
Vulnerable children get a good start in education

Specific Objective I:
Building the capacity and enhancing the competency of educators in early learning

Specific Objective II:
Scaling the access of vulnerable children to age appropriate learning facilities in preschools as well as lower grades of primary schools

Specific Objective III:
Establishing processes of joint responsibility of all stakeholders for early learning improvements
Target region – Ohangwena (25 schools and 56 ECD centers).

EU PROJECT

STRENGTHENING THE ROLES OF CSOs AND WOMEN IN DEMOCRACY (2020 – 2023)
The project seeks to address two issues of major relevance in Namibia today.
The first is the yawning gap between the favourable gender policy and legal environment established by the Government of the Republic of Namibia since Independence in 1990 and the lack of the genuine societal change required to implement and benefit from it.

The second is the lack of organisational, financial and technical capacity of civil society actors to lead the charge in closing the gap and enabling women to feel safe, heard and empowered agents of change and development.

Target areas;
40 CSOs in 4 regions (Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena and Omusati), at least 8 of which (2 per region) focus primarily on gender, GBV and women’s rights.

Overall objective
The project will contribute to a vibrant and gendered democracy through the effective participation of women in civic life in Namibia

Specific objective
The project will support selected CSOs to become agents of greater women empowerment and involvement in civic life by strengthening their organisational and technical capacity to act as key interlocutors on gender, gender equality and GBV at the local, regional and national levels.

MY PERIOD IS AWESOME PROJECT SUMMARY

The My Period Is Awesome (MPIA) was launched in September 2018 and was implemented until May 2021. It was sponsored by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and Forum Syd through Wise Economy Global Association.

The project goals were as follows:

1. Right-holders (girls) have changed attitudes and behaviour towards menstruation and know how to claim their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
   
2. Ensuring that girls are not ashamed of their period, can satisfy their basic human rights and can say no to unwanted sex.
   
3. Ensuring that boys are aware of everybody’s human rights and stop harassing the girls.
   
4. Enhanced capacity in society, when duty-bearers support knowledge on SRHR and Menstrual Health Management (MHM) in schools and contribute to changed attitudes on Menstrual Health as a Human Right.

The first phase of MPIA was concluded in May 2019 and a total number of 557 girls and 61 boys (618 total) were trained. The project was based in the Khomas Region and targeted 7 schools namely; Goreagab Junior Secondary School, Chairman Mao High School, Mountain View High School, A. Shipena High School, Cosmos High School, Jahn Mohr Secondary School and Highline Secondary School.

The second phase of the MPIA project was concluded in May 2021 and a total number of 324 girls and 248 boys (572 total) were trained. The project was based in the Oshana Region and targeted 5 schools namely; Kapembe Junior Secondary School, Iihenda Secondary School, Kapolo Combined School, Nengushe Junior Secondary School and Ntuli Junior Secondary School.

The project procured over 300 reusable pads and 1000 menstrual cups (donation from Organicup) for the target recipients who cannot afford sanitary products. A tax-free period campaign was undertaken during the implementation of the project and it moved the law makers to remove the VAT on sanitary pads. This successful campaign was a huge milestone for the project.