Cecilia Xavier
OUTJO – Deputy minister of gender equality Bernadette Jagger has called for an examination of cultural practices on the way children are raised in order to discourage harming the most vulnerable in society.
Jagger made these remarks recently at Pot of Hope’s stakeholders meeting.
The gathering aimed at addressing gender-based violence and was held in Outjo in the Kunene region.
“I call upon all traditional authorities to evaluate their cultures and traditions, their way of doing things, and discourage all the negative and harmful cultural norms and practices that are hostile to the development of women and children in the community,” Jagger said.
She noted government has reviewed some laws to ensure that no areas are left to chance.
She therefore wants local leaders to look into cultures and traditions in order to identify positive cultural practices and norms and build on them.
“I, therefore, appeal to our community leaders and traditional authorities to stand together with our government and bring these phenomena to an end. Let us protect our women and children,” she stated. In her speech read by Nangula Mbako, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila noted women for too long have faced discrimination on the basis of sex and gender, of which some are entrenched with tradition and culture.
“Culture is not static. We must look at customary/ traditional laws and systems to identify the positive elements that will help address the new challenges society is facing.
We should discard the negative elements that are not aligned with the values that we have adopted as a democratic state that is committed to optimize the welfare of its population by optimising the potential of all its people,” Kuugongelwa Amadhila stated.
The prime minister also applauded Pots of Hope and stakeholders for providing an opportunity to discuss gender-based violence issues.
“In an effort to fight gender-based violence, the government recognises that a multi-sectoral approach is of essence. I am pleased to see stakeholders from government, church leaders and traditional leaders joining hands with Pots of Hope in championing the fight against gender-based violence. United we can achieve great results,” she said.
*Cecilia Xavier works for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Opuwo