This book examines how women and men in contemporary Namibian society perceive women's socio‑economic status, their understanding of gender related social issues, and how they believe women's lives have changed since Independence. While the chapter situates gender inequality within the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, it recognises gender inequality as a broader structural factor that increases women’s vulnerability to HIV infection by limiting their ability to reduce risk taking behaviours. The analysis draws on data from participants living in suburban Windhoek and from rural communities in northern Namibia. The informants come from a range of ethnic backgrounds including German, Kavango, Coloured, Owambo, Nama, and Herero and are between 22 and 73 years old. Despite their diversity, they share a common characteristic: all are part of the lower socio-economic strata, including subsistence farmers, unemployed individuals, domestic workers, and informal vendors. Findings show that both women and men possess substantial knowledge about gender‑related issues, especially gender‑based violence and HIV risk behaviour, information they primarily access through mass media such as radio and newspapers. However, their interpretations of "gender equality" differ significantly. Men often evaluate positive societal changes in economic terms, while women emphasise social shifts, particularly regarding women’s rights. Many women believe their social status has improved since Independence, whereas men tend to view women’s rights negatively sometimes framing these rights as contributing to social problems or detracting from men’s rights. Local understandings of women’s rights tend to focus on improvements in traditionally female‑associated roles, rather than encompassing broader, more holistic notions of gender equality.