Bience Philomina Gawanas (born 1956) is a Namibian lawyer who served as Special Adviser on Africa for the United Nations from 2018 to 2020.

Earlier in her career, Gawanas served as Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, from 2002 to 2012.

Gawanas's interest in law was sparked after her beloved elder brother Jeka was picked up by whites and beaten to death while hitch-hiking, and police decided it was a "road accident".

[2] Her practical training included work with Lord Tony Gifford on human rights cases such as the "Birmingham Six" appeal of alleged bombers who were later exonerated.

Gawanas later became one of the first Namibians to return alive from the Lubango dungeons, Southern Angola, in 1989, some months before many other surviving detainees were released.

President Sam Nujoma appointed her Ombudsman, on recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission, in 1996 and she served there, investigating and resolving complaints of maladministration at all levels, until 2003.

[5] In addition to her government work, Gawanas served on the High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development – co-chaired by Joaquim Chissano and Tarja Halonen – from 2012 to 2014.

[12] The University of the Western Cape awarded her a Doctor legum honoris causa at their September 2012 graduation ceremony.

[3] Advocate Bience Gawa!nas was awarded the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun, first class, for her distinguished service above the call of duty, in August 2024 by President Nangolo Mbumba.