Govt entities snub GBV recommendations
Violence even in parliament, deputy minister says
Almost a decade after a Gender-Based Conference was held, many government institutions have failed to implement its recommendations - despite the scourge claiming lives daily.
Despite the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) across the country - which has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives over the years - many government institutions have failed to heed the recommendations of the 2014 GBV Conference.
The situation has left the gender ministry battling to find a lasting solution to the problem on its own.
This is according to deputy gender minister Bernadette Jagger, who highlighted that during the conference held almost a decade ago, some of the root causes of GBV included unequal power relations between men and women, alcohol and drug abuse, and weak moral and value systems.
“The government recognised that a multi-sectorial approach is of essence because a single institution will not be able to fight this scourge of GBV on its own. But it has regrettably been noted that many institutions have failed to heed these recommendations, thus compelling the ministry to hold the fort and run with its recommendations because of the desire to see change and have a peaceful nation.”
She also pointed out that GBV is so widespread that it even manifests in parliament.
“In this chamber, there are so many things that you can say is violence. Women against women, calling each other names; we are not honest with each other.”
However, National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi interjected, saying while he does not want to downplay the issue, this is not a picture he would want portrayed about parliament.
“I don’t want anyone out there to get the impression that this is really serious. I think we should not project it, it might be misunderstood. I don’t want that picture to emerge because that is not exemplary,” he said.
Women provoke men
Meanwhile, Joseph Kauandenge of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) said he has noted that respect "has gone out the window", and he believes this is behind the increasing divorce rates in the country.
Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) Utaara Mootu, however, countered that women have suffered in silence in the past because they would be chased out their father’s homes or ridiculed in public if they divorced their abusive husbands.
“We have buried some of our uncles who had 50 children from different women – is that the respect you are talking about?” she wanted to know.
Kauandenge insisted that traditionally there are things that ought to be ‘kept inside’ because of traditions and norms, adding that women are now confronting their husbands in front of their children because they now ‘wear the pants’.
“Sometimes our womenfolk are also at fault of provoking unnecessary fights in the household. There is no man who wants to come home from work and the moment he steps in the door, war is already declared. Sometimes we have took deeper at what are the causes [of GBV] in our households,” he said.
[email protected]
The situation has left the gender ministry battling to find a lasting solution to the problem on its own.
This is according to deputy gender minister Bernadette Jagger, who highlighted that during the conference held almost a decade ago, some of the root causes of GBV included unequal power relations between men and women, alcohol and drug abuse, and weak moral and value systems.
“The government recognised that a multi-sectorial approach is of essence because a single institution will not be able to fight this scourge of GBV on its own. But it has regrettably been noted that many institutions have failed to heed these recommendations, thus compelling the ministry to hold the fort and run with its recommendations because of the desire to see change and have a peaceful nation.”
She also pointed out that GBV is so widespread that it even manifests in parliament.
“In this chamber, there are so many things that you can say is violence. Women against women, calling each other names; we are not honest with each other.”
However, National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi interjected, saying while he does not want to downplay the issue, this is not a picture he would want portrayed about parliament.
“I don’t want anyone out there to get the impression that this is really serious. I think we should not project it, it might be misunderstood. I don’t want that picture to emerge because that is not exemplary,” he said.
Women provoke men
Meanwhile, Joseph Kauandenge of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) said he has noted that respect "has gone out the window", and he believes this is behind the increasing divorce rates in the country.
Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) Utaara Mootu, however, countered that women have suffered in silence in the past because they would be chased out their father’s homes or ridiculed in public if they divorced their abusive husbands.
“We have buried some of our uncles who had 50 children from different women – is that the respect you are talking about?” she wanted to know.
Kauandenge insisted that traditionally there are things that ought to be ‘kept inside’ because of traditions and norms, adding that women are now confronting their husbands in front of their children because they now ‘wear the pants’.
“Sometimes our womenfolk are also at fault of provoking unnecessary fights in the household. There is no man who wants to come home from work and the moment he steps in the door, war is already declared. Sometimes we have took deeper at what are the causes [of GBV] in our households,” he said.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article