Report serious crimes to police, not traditional courts - Agas
The police in the Kavango West Region have urged parents and community members to report serious crimes such as domestic violence, sexual abuse and child marriage to the police, rather than relying on traditional courts.
This follows an alarming rise in cases where minors - some as young as 12 - are being married off under the guise of traditional customs.
Speaking to the information ministry last week, Kavango West regional crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Abner Agas, condemned the practice, emphasising the serious harm it causes to especially young girls.
"Our community is deeply rooted in traditional practices. While some cases are reported to the police, others remain unreported due to cultural beliefs. People often feel these cases should be handled traditionally within the community, with some even believing they might receive compensation from traditional courts," Agas said.
He pointed out that traditional courts, which lack proper legal representation, are often ill-equipped to handle serious cases.
"Over time, we hope to shift away from handling such serious matters through community structures and involve the police, especially in cases that demand legal intervention."
Concerning statistics
"One of the most concerning issues is when minors are involved. Young children cannot decide whether to follow traditional customs or go to the police. For example, in cases of rape involving a minor, these should always be handled by the police. The victim requires medical treatment and other necessary procedures," he said.
"Yet, many [of these cases] go unreported, even if they occurred years ago. We’ve seen young girls as young as 12 or 13 being married off, and parents often accept it, believing it aligns with their cultural practices."
In 2021, Namibian Sun reported that Namibia is home to over 64 000 women and girls who were married before the age of 18. Meanwhile, according to United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) statistical country profiles, 40% of Namibian women believe wife-beating is justified, and 38% experienced partner violence in 2020.
Namibia’s country profile further noted that one in 14 young women were married during childhood. Of the 64 000 child brides, approximately 15 500 were married before the age of 15. The most vulnerable are girls with no education, living in rural areas and from impoverished families.
The data also showed that the majority of child brides were married to men five to nine years older.
A 2020 report by the gender equality ministry found that 18.4% of girls in Namibia were married before the age of 18, compared to just 4.1% of boys. The report also noted that the Kavango regions had the highest prevalence of child marriage among girls at 39.7%. Other regions with high rates include Kunene (24%), Zambezi (23.8%), Omaheke (23%), and Otjozondjupa (22.6%).
The report further stated that the average age of sexual debut for adolescent girls in Namibia is between 12 and 17.
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This follows an alarming rise in cases where minors - some as young as 12 - are being married off under the guise of traditional customs.
Speaking to the information ministry last week, Kavango West regional crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Abner Agas, condemned the practice, emphasising the serious harm it causes to especially young girls.
"Our community is deeply rooted in traditional practices. While some cases are reported to the police, others remain unreported due to cultural beliefs. People often feel these cases should be handled traditionally within the community, with some even believing they might receive compensation from traditional courts," Agas said.
He pointed out that traditional courts, which lack proper legal representation, are often ill-equipped to handle serious cases.
"Over time, we hope to shift away from handling such serious matters through community structures and involve the police, especially in cases that demand legal intervention."
Concerning statistics
"One of the most concerning issues is when minors are involved. Young children cannot decide whether to follow traditional customs or go to the police. For example, in cases of rape involving a minor, these should always be handled by the police. The victim requires medical treatment and other necessary procedures," he said.
"Yet, many [of these cases] go unreported, even if they occurred years ago. We’ve seen young girls as young as 12 or 13 being married off, and parents often accept it, believing it aligns with their cultural practices."
In 2021, Namibian Sun reported that Namibia is home to over 64 000 women and girls who were married before the age of 18. Meanwhile, according to United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) statistical country profiles, 40% of Namibian women believe wife-beating is justified, and 38% experienced partner violence in 2020.
Namibia’s country profile further noted that one in 14 young women were married during childhood. Of the 64 000 child brides, approximately 15 500 were married before the age of 15. The most vulnerable are girls with no education, living in rural areas and from impoverished families.
The data also showed that the majority of child brides were married to men five to nine years older.
A 2020 report by the gender equality ministry found that 18.4% of girls in Namibia were married before the age of 18, compared to just 4.1% of boys. The report also noted that the Kavango regions had the highest prevalence of child marriage among girls at 39.7%. Other regions with high rates include Kunene (24%), Zambezi (23.8%), Omaheke (23%), and Otjozondjupa (22.6%).
The report further stated that the average age of sexual debut for adolescent girls in Namibia is between 12 and 17.
- [email protected]
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