Namibia currently ranks 8th in the world for closing the gender gap. The story of WorldSkills Champions Trust representative, Justina Ashiyana from WorldSkills Namibia, shows just how important female role models are in improving gender equality.
How female role models drive progress in gender equality
Justina is not afraid of breaking down stereotypes and barriers. She believes her skill has the power to reach more young women from diverse backgrounds so they can imagine themselves working in male-dominated professions. That is why Justina is using her platform as a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Africa to shift the balance.
She says, “I want to encourage other women to rise to the challenge and follow their passion, irrespective of stereotypical perceptions, and gender domination of certain trades. Opportunities are made available, but perception and lack of exposure limit women participation in some trades. I hope I can be an inspiration to fellow women and that we can all achieve as much in any trade as men.”
Growing up in Northern Namibia with a father working in construction, Justina found herself wishing to follow in his footsteps and become a skilled hands-on professional. Justina remembers how unusual this seemed in her community. She says, “People would tell me that I would not get customers due to my gender and petite frame.” Despite support from family and school, these prejudices followed Justina as she moved into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) after secondary school.
But she did not let it stop there. Her talent shone through the bias, and she excelled in Joinery. So much so that she competed in the WorldSkills Namibia National Skills Competition. She was the only woman in her discipline, against 11 men. She recalls, “When I competed in the National Skills Competition, I was the only woman Competitor in Joinery. I was moved to see women walking past me and taking pictures of me.”
While the odds may have felt stacked against her, Justina took bronze, and went on to represent Namibia at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. The lack of female representation she encountered has only fueled her determination to break the bias, and she has turned her experience into her mission.
Justina has spent the last seven years using her skill to mentor the next generation of Joiners – first as an Entrepreneur, Trainer, then a WorldSkills Namibia Expert, a Team Leader and, most recently, as a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Africa. She has been an ambassador for skills, representing Namibia and African youth at the Pan African Youth Forum in Addis Ababa in 2019. She has even found time to take part in BeChangeMaker Africa 2020, a WorldSkills entrepreneurs programme that supports purposeful businesses.
Additionally, in the realm of sports, Justina proudly plays football as a centre back and lead as the captain for a regional Namibian Police team. This role has earned her a position as a police reservist with the Namibian Police. Additionally, she has been honored with the role of regional Coordinator for women's football and volleyball clubs.
Justina’s personal skills journey mirrors the work that WorldSkills Namibia is doing to build a more inclusive and diverse TVET system. As Host of WorldSkills Africa Swakopmund 2022, WorldSkills Namibia was determined to bring the issue of gender discrimination to the international stage. Alongside the Competition, and in partnership with WorldSkills International and the Namibia Training Authority, WorldSkills Namibia organized an international TVET Conference under the theme "Gender and Social Inclusion in TVET.” The Conference explored ways to counter gender stereotyping and encouraged the participation of people living with disabilities in TVET programmes and opportunities.
As a valued ambassador of WorldSkills Namibia, Justina is encouraged and supported in her multifaceted roles through public relations mentorship and advocacy program. She serves as a dynamic example for youth and the wider community. Justina lead national stakeholder engagements to share her journey and advocate for the boundless opportunities within TVET, inspiring others to break barriers and close the gender gap in all fields.
Breaking stereotypes and increasing women representation remain at the top of Justina’s, and WorldSkills Namibia’s agenda. Justina continues to inspire young women in her country and around the world. While, later this year, WorldSkills Namibia will take its most diverse group of Competitors to WorldSkills Lyon 2024, with 5 women representing the country in 13 skills.
Find out more about WorldSkills Namibia or read more inspiring stories of impact from across the skills community.