By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
The escalating incidence of brutal crime against women and children in the country, and other human rights violations, urgently need to be dealt with.
This includes speeding up the implementation of all existing domestic laws and international conventions to reverse the present situation.
The senseless and gruesome murders of innocent individuals are not only a human rights concern, but they also paint a gloomy picture of a “sick nation”.
This is the message that came out during the commemoration of Human Rights Day and Namibian Women’s Day held at the Old Location Cemetery in Windhoek yesterday.
The day was held under the theme, “Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles: Ending Violence Against Women and Children”.
It also marked the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Domestic Violence, officially launched in Kalkrand in the Hardap Region on November 25.
A group of women dressed in purple and black lay flat on the ground holding anti-violence placards and posters as an expression of solidarity against the brutal massacre of men, women and children on December 10, 1959 that are buried at the Old Location Cemetery.
“We remember the women who fought and died and those who are still dying today at the hands of brutal criminals. The placards show our tears and blood. Let us stop violence, let us stop gender-based violence,” Rosa Namises said, speaking on behalf of women and civil society organisations.
Women who took part in the march yesterday came from different regions around the country, including Hardap, Omaheke, Kavango, Caprivi, Kunene, Erongo, Khomas and Oshana.
Given that statistics on violence have become a burning issue in the country, Speaker of the National Assembly Theo Ben Gurirab in his keynote address said time is long overdue to say, “enough is enough” against violence.
“The barbaric acts of violence, especially towards women, children and often also against the elderly, who are the most vulnerable groups among us, point to a severe sickness in society and in our human relations,” said Gurirab.
He said it is high time that law enforcement agencies step up their efforts to implement all existing domestic laws and international conventions to reverse the situation.
Despite the fact that Government has made progress in addressing issues of gender equality, there is a visible increase in the number, and severity, of reported cases of human rights abuses and gender-based violence – especially domestic violence.
Gurirab noted this therefore called for a change in mindset and a change in heart, especially from men who are the main perpetrators of such crimes.
“We must declare a new war on all barbaric crimes by saying enough is enough. Ultimately, we need to see behaviour and an attitude change in men in favour of gender equality.
“Yes, we all need to take it upon ourselves to change bad attitudes that see women as second class citizens, as mere objects of sex and that women and girls ‘ask for it’ because of who they are,” Gurirab said.
Human rights are an inalienable right for every citizen. However, such rights are continually being violated as crimes continue unabated.
Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator Nuzhat Ehsan said the day was chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights.
“On our part, as the UN system, we are committed to strengthening the response on work around violence against women and we fully integrate this in programmes with our partners,” said Ehsan.
She said a great deal remains to be done to remove challenges and obstacles towards social injustice and gender inequality.
Deputy Minister of Education Dr Becky Ndjoze-Ojo said violence is not the answer to solving problems and must come to an end.
“It is not through violence that we solve our problems. We cannot sit on our laurels while human rights are violated. Men leave the girls with the miniskirts alone! It’s a mental thing, so train your mind if you are a man, instead of assaulting women,” Ndjoze-Ojo said.
The day was marked with the symbolic laying of a wreath on the mass grave of the Old Location heroes and heroines who were massacred by authorities of the former colonial South African regime while marching for their rights on December 10, 1959.
The event was also marked with a march by the Namibian Defence Force Brass Band and choir performances by the Voices of God.