WINDHOEK– Women’s Action for Development (WAD) wants organisations in the private sector, government and civil society to implement special programmes that will expose male workers to the rights of women as outlined in the Namibian constitution.
WAD Executive Director, Veronica de Klerk, says such special programmes could also sensitise Namibian men to respect and honour women for who they are. She said it is important for boys to be taught the same principles at home and at school. “At the same time, I respectfully appeal to those institutions to urgently start implementing special programmes for female employees to sensitise women on how to circumvent violence even if it means self-defence training for women – not to counteract violence, but to avoid it for self-protection,” said De Klerk.
She made these remarks on Monday last week at a local hotel where WAD received the Professional Management Review (PMR) award for the second year in a row. In addition, De Klerk suggested that women be exposed to the contents of gender-related laws of the country such as the Combating of Domestic Violence Act and the Combating of Rape Act. She said this would put women in a better position to know their rights, further stating that “an abused woman can never be an effective performer”.
She also stressed the need for all stakeholders to work towards the effective elimination of gender-based violence, because it cripples the economy and enhances poverty and unemployment. “We have seen enough bloodshed, we have seen enough tears, we have seen enough loss of lives, enough is enough,” De Klerk said.
By Staff Reporter