Emma is a 27-year-old Namibian, currently serving as a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology for the Republic of Namibia since February 2024.
Before this current role, Emma was a Human Rights Lawyer in the Ministry of Justice, a Practicing Paralegal, and the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of Namibia and also served as the Junior Mayor of Windhoek.
She holds an LLB Honours Degree from the University of Namibia, a diploma in Business Management from Amity University, and a degree in Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in ICT Policy and Regulation at the University of Witwatersrand.
Emma was named as one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women in the World in 2021 among other nominations and recognitions, and in June 2022 she was awarded the United Nations Population Award Laureate in the Individual Category.
Emma is an Amujae Leader 2023. Since 2009, she has consistently advocated for youth empowerment and sustainable development, championing children’s rights in Namibia and collaborating with continental and global youth organisations to highlight the needs and voices of young people to decision-makers worldwide.
She is part of the World Youth Group, an organisation committed to uniting elected youth leaders globally to support UN initiatives. She runs several initiatives of her own like “Bring A Buddy to Parly” and “Digital Nomad” bringing young people closer to decision-making bodies and teaching them fundamental skills.
On Youth Political Participation
“Women show up every day. Women are good enough to raise Presidents, Kings, and Leaders, but we’re not good enough to be those leaders ourselves? We, young women, are also here and deserve a seat at the table.”
The WYDE Civic Engagement Network of Young Decision-Makers unites young leaders under 36 years old who are active in politics and decision-making roles, aiming to enhance youth political participation. Members, hailing from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, will collaborate with peers and Club de Madrid Members to shape global agendas through Policy Labs, fostering informed collective action.
The WYDE Civic Engagement project is a component of the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE) by the European Commission. The project aims to empower youth voices, foster international cooperation, and address the gaps in evidence on youth political engagement. More info on the project can be found on EPD’s website.
