H.E. MARGARET MENSAH-WILLIAMS

Her Excellency Margaret Natalie Mensah-Williams is the Vice-Chairperson and the Deputy Speaker of the National Council of Namibia – the first woman in the history of the country to hold the post. She is currently the Vice President of the IPU’s Women’s Coordinating Committee.

A teacher by profession, she entered politics while studying at University of Cape Town where she was active in student politics. Ms. Mensah-Williams served for the second National Council in 1999 to 2004 and was re-elected in the same position to serve the third National Council in 2004 to 2009. She is also a member of the Central Committee of SWAPO’s Women’s Council, as well as SWAPO’s Central Committee.

Ms. Mensah-Williams served for four years as member of the Inter Parliamentary Union Executive Committee and served on the same body for two years as Vice President. She serves on various boards of women’s organisations, and is the patron of various women’s and educational institutions. She has presented at various international forums, including the UN as international expert.

She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, a diploma in Management & Leadership from East and Southern African Management Institute, a diploma in negotiation skills from the Institute of Management and Leadership Training in Windhoek, and a diploma in Housing & Community Development from the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

She is an active advocate for various issues such as gender equality, violence against women and children, human trafficking and community development.