Namibia a SGBV perpetrator’s paradise
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Despite late last year’s wave of countrywide protests against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the occurrences of cases continue to rise.
This is according to Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe, an activist who was amongst those who spearheaded the SGBV protests under the ShutItAllDown movement, which saw thousands of Namibians from all walks of life take to the streets last October.
Nthengwe made the remark when asked about the progress of their petition to government on how to deal with GBV.
The group met with President Hage Geingob last year, however, there has not been progress or a clear-cut plan on how to deal with SGBV in communities, she said.
She added that they continue to wait on feedback from the National Assembly, as they only thus far have only received confirmation that their document was received.
“We received a notice of receipt from the National Assembly early December. We are still awaiting feedback on the matters referenced in the petition that we submitted,” Nthengwe said.
Perpetrators paradise
Nthengwe said the situation has not improved since the protests, describing the country as a “perpetrator’s paradise”.
“SGBV cases continue to rise as Namibia has become a perpetrator's paradise.”
One of the demands which stood out during the protests was the call for gender minister, Doreen Sioka, to step down.
At one point, the group attempted to have a ‘farewell braai’ at the minister’s office.
Sioka has been accused of not serving the ministry well.
Asked whether that stance remains, Nthengwe said they still want Sioka to leave office.
Pandora’s box
Last year, Sioka refused to entertain the call for her to resign, saying she does not want to open Pandora’s Box.
“That issue, I don’t want to dwell into it please, please. I am avoiding it. I don’t want to open a Pandora box after we had reconciled. Now you want to bring something out again,” Sioka said at the time.
The protestors denied any claims of reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Nthengwe said that there is much coordination and targeted advocacy to be seen for the year from the ShutItAllDown movement and activists in the space.
- [email protected]
RUNDU
Despite late last year’s wave of countrywide protests against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the occurrences of cases continue to rise.
This is according to Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe, an activist who was amongst those who spearheaded the SGBV protests under the ShutItAllDown movement, which saw thousands of Namibians from all walks of life take to the streets last October.
Nthengwe made the remark when asked about the progress of their petition to government on how to deal with GBV.
The group met with President Hage Geingob last year, however, there has not been progress or a clear-cut plan on how to deal with SGBV in communities, she said.
She added that they continue to wait on feedback from the National Assembly, as they only thus far have only received confirmation that their document was received.
“We received a notice of receipt from the National Assembly early December. We are still awaiting feedback on the matters referenced in the petition that we submitted,” Nthengwe said.
Perpetrators paradise
Nthengwe said the situation has not improved since the protests, describing the country as a “perpetrator’s paradise”.
“SGBV cases continue to rise as Namibia has become a perpetrator's paradise.”
One of the demands which stood out during the protests was the call for gender minister, Doreen Sioka, to step down.
At one point, the group attempted to have a ‘farewell braai’ at the minister’s office.
Sioka has been accused of not serving the ministry well.
Asked whether that stance remains, Nthengwe said they still want Sioka to leave office.
Pandora’s box
Last year, Sioka refused to entertain the call for her to resign, saying she does not want to open Pandora’s Box.
“That issue, I don’t want to dwell into it please, please. I am avoiding it. I don’t want to open a Pandora box after we had reconciled. Now you want to bring something out again,” Sioka said at the time.
The protestors denied any claims of reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Nthengwe said that there is much coordination and targeted advocacy to be seen for the year from the ShutItAllDown movement and activists in the space.
- [email protected]
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