Sister Namibia to tackle gender norms

The United States embassy in Namibia has awarded a grant of US$20 000 (about N$280 000) to Sister Namibia to address gender-based violence (GBV) through dialogues on gender norms.

According to a media statement issued by the embassy's public affairs officer, Eric Atkins, the United States ambassador to Namibia, Lisa Johnson, recently met with Sister Namibia acting director, Laura Sasman, to congratulate her on receiving the grant.

Atkins added that the project will run from January to December 2019 and aims to challenge and transform gender norms that drive violence, and at the same time promote equal, inclusive, and human rights-based norms.

Sister Namibia's goal is to do this through discussions conducted via weekly radio shows, bi-weekly newspaper articles and monthly public debates, as well as through hosting events in Windhoek, Rundu, Oshakati, Ongwediva, and Keetmanshoop. According to Atkins, the US embassy supports the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, and hopes this grant will help reduce GBV in Namibia. Sister Namibia was founded in 1989 as a platform for women to build a democratic post-colonial society and its main activity for the first ten years was the production of the Sister Namibia magazine.

While still publishing the magazine four times a year, Sister Namibia now also engages in the media, education sector, advocacy industry and cultural activities, in order to promote women's human rights and full equality in a world free from violence, discrimination and oppression.

JEMIMA BEUKES