By Ashley Jantjies
As we approach the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, it sad to see that after 30 years of independence Namibia is nowhere close to eradicating it.
The country is equipped with more than enough recommendations, well-researched, approved solutions coordinated into effective action plans. Despite the laws implemented to combat Sexual and Gender-Based-Violence (SGBV), it still remains a thorn in our side.
Every day we read stories of children raped by their relatives and women dying at the hands of their partners. Violence against women reportage is so frequent in newspapers that it would be a surprise if the Namibian newspaper didn’t have a story about it. It’s sad but true.
The numbers skyrocketed when a country-wide lockdown was enforced due to Covid-19.
For something that is always in the papers, GBV isn’t prioritized. And it shows because after the protest, the cries of our women, perpetrators continue the violence against women.
At this rate, it should be a state of emergency.
The youth started the #ShutItAllDownNamibia movement, evoked following the discovery of Shannon Wasserfall’s remains. On 10 October 2020, they took to the streets and protested, the first ever and the longest protest in the history of Namibia. It resulted in an altercation between protestors and the police force, and the unlawful detainment of 23 protestors.
Protestors handed the government a petition which included 24 demands, and in response, the Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila claimed that “we are concerned about the increased number of violence against our girl children…and the increased number of killings of our women…we shall not rest until every Namibian girl and woman, and indeed every resident of this country can feel safe every time and everywhere in their country”
Yet after the release of this statement, women were raped at gunpoint in their homes and no arrests have been made in relation to it. The fact that perpetrators are not afraid of the law, is alarming. And if no action is taken, the numbers will increase.
Yesterday, 16 days of Activism was launched. Speaking at the launch, minister of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare, Doreen Sioka said the Domestic Violence Act, which is currently amended, should include the arrest of victims who withdraw GBV cases.
This just increases the culture of victim blaming. Victims at times also blame themselves for the violence against them. Which isn’t the case, a woman ending a relationship, doesn’t mean the boyfriend should kill him or wearing clothes that show cleavage doesn’t mean you are asking for it. So, arresting the victim for withdrawal of a case, will just discourage victims from speaking up against violence. The act also excludes protection for women who are Lesbian, Bisexual or Gender Variant, who also face harassment and violence.
She added that Namibians should create GBV-watch movements in communities. Which is not a terrible idea, if they arrest and refused bail for perpetrators. if they included compulsory counselling for perpetrators and offered victims protection. Currently the country only has one working shelter that caters for victims of SGBV. If we had courts that deal with SGBV offences and implement victim-friendly procedures to help survivors to stand up to their perpetrators. The numbers would not be so high.
SGBV cases are not prioritized on court rolls. So many cases of SGBV that turn into cold cases. Till this day the perpetrators for Magdalena Stoffels, a grade 11 pupil who was raped and killed on her way to school, has not been arrested. This was 10 years ago. Another case would be Avihe Cheryl Ujaha, whose body was mutilated two years ago.
This does not only happen in Namibia but in so many African countries. Women and children are not safe.
“Land of the Brave? More like land of the rape, femicide, abuse and inaction”
If the government prioritized SGBV and enforced harsher punishments for perpetrators, maybe we would celebrate the next International Day of Elimination of violence against women.
