On October 24, 2024, the Women Feeding Cities (WFC) project convened a stakeholder workshop at the Frank Kavishe Boardroom, JEDS Campus in Ongwediva, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on women in the informal food sector in Northern Namibia. Organized by Dr. Ndeyapo Nickanor and Dr. Vonai Charamba from the University of Namibia, this workshop gathered participants from academia, government, and local councils, among others: Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation; Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Oshakati Town Council; Ministry of Industrialization and Trade, to identify strategies that could strengthen the resilience and recovery of women working in this essential sector.
Discussions focused on three key themes. First, the economic toll of COVID-19 on women in the informal food sector was evident, as many faced income loss, reduced market access, and limited social support. Participants highlighted that these economic challenges particularly impact women, who often support entire households. Secondly, the essential role of informal vendors in providing affordable food was discussed, as these vendors are crucial for low-income families who rely on small, accessible purchases. However, they face competition from unregistered vendors and cross-border traders from Angola, making market conditions not only difficult but fierce competition. Finally, the lack of business registration and formalization limits women’s access to financial support and government grants. Participants suggested that simplified registration and financing options could enable greater economic stability for these women.
The workshop concluded with a call for cross-sector collaboration to address these challenges through inclusive policies and supportive frameworks. This event marks a significant step in the WFC project’s mission to foster a gender-responsive approach to food security and economic recovery for Namibia’s urban informal sector.
The program of the event is available here:
