NAMIBIA: NOMINEE FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE (IWOC)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WINDHOEK 000338 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (TEXT PAR 8) SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM WA SUBJECT: NAMIBIA: NOMINEE FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE (IWOC) REF: STATE 99729 WINDHOEK 00000338 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Windhoek is proud to nominate Elizabeth !Khaxas as our candidate for the Secretary of State's 2009 Award for International Women of Courage (IWOC). Despite threats and harassment, Elizabeth !Khaxas has demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in promoting the political advancement and civil rights of women in Namibia. She has shown exceptional courage in her role as a women's rights and gay rights' advocate. ¶2. (SBU) !Khaxas was a founding member of Sister Namibia. Sister Namibia was founded in 1989, just prior to Namibia's independence from South Africa. !Khaxas and her colleagues established Sister Namibia to give women a voice in the building of a democratic post-colonial society. Sister Namibia strives "to challenge structures and stereotypes that oppress and divide women." ¶3. (SBU) From 1999 to 2002, !Khaxas was the director of Sister Namibia. As Director, she helped expand the organization's scope beyond the publishing of its flagship magazine by establishing a nationwide capacity building program. !Khaxas and Sister Namibia actively participated in a multimedia campaign on violence against women. !Khaxas's efforts resulted in a new sexual assault bill that imposes tough sentences on rapists and other sexual predators. ¶4. (SBU) !Khaxas and Sister Namibia have also been a driving force behind the 50/50 Campaign for Women's Political Empowerment, a project to increase women's participation in Namibian politics. The goal of the 50/50 Campaign is for Namibia to reach equal representation between women and men in elected office. Working with other non-governmental organizations Sister Namibia developed the Women`s Network Manifesto Movement. This umbrella organization has brought together 30 organizations representing women from the full range of political and social backgrounds. The mobilizing and awareness raising activities, conducted country-wide beginning in 2000, culminated in the drafting of legislation that aims to create a 50/50 gender balance in all representative government bodies. The bill was submitted to the relevant Parliamentary Standing Committee for consideration, the first time legislation was ever submitted to Parliament from a non-executive branch source. The work of the Women`s Network Manifesto Movement was inline with Embassy Windhoek's Mission Strategic Plan, so much so, that USAID's democracy and governance program provided support to the Movement. ¶5. (SBU) Through Sister Namibia, !Khaxas founded The Rainbow Project (TRP) in 1997. TRP focuses and raises awareness on issues of sexuality, sexual orientation and the human rights of gay and lesbian people in Namibia. ¶6. (SBU) On numerous occasions !Khaxas' work has put her at odds with Namibia's government and ruling SWAPO party. Amnesty International wrote, "Elizabeth Khaxas, Director of Sister Namibia, as well as many of the organization's active members have been targeted because of their gender, sexual identity and/or advocacy for lesbian rights. The organization has been regularly subjected to violence, harassment and surveillance by the Namibian government due to their advocacy of women's rights, including lesbian and gay human rights." ¶7. (SBU) !Khaxas is currently the Director of the Women's Leadership Center, an organization she founded in 2004. The Center works to develop a new generation of young women leaders and advocates in Namibia. The center conducts much of its work though writing workshops for women living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The workshops aim to break the taboos and silences around the many cultural practices that deny women their sexual, reproductive, and civil rights. The workshops have generated two anthologies of personal stories written by Namibian women, edited by !Khaxas. Describing the first anthology printed in 2005, UNICEF's Representative in Namibia Khin-Sandi Lwin stated, "[This] compilation of writings by Namibian women convey[s] not only the pain and anguish suffered by women from every corner of the country but also the elements that can make the ultimate change towards gender equality." The second anthology entitled We Must Choose Life: Writings by Namibian Women on Culture, Violence, HIV and AIDS, was published in 2008. She is currently working on a third collection of stories and poetry from Namibian women that will continue to shine a light on traditional practices that harm women. ¶8. (SBU) The following biographic information is keyed to paragraph 6 of reftel. Legal name of nominee: Elizabeth !Khaxas Job title/association: Director / The Women's Leadership Center Date of birth: 25 June 1960 at Country of birth: Namibia, (Usakos, Erongo Region) Citizenship: Namibian Address: Bauer Street, No 5 Klein-Windhoek Telephone: +264 61 221106 E-mail: ncwl@mweb.com.na Passport number: P0002110 WINDHOEK 00000338 002.3 OF 002 ¶9. (SBU) Ms. !Khaxas has been informed of her nomination, and has expressed appreciation for the USG's recognition. HARRINGTON