Namibia prides itself at being a peaceful country.
But statistics on violence suggest that it has little to be proud of.
By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK
Susan* and Gerhard* were married for 10 years. After having separated for some time, the couple eventually got divorced seven years ago.
Susan had in the meantime moved out of the house she shared with Gerhard and had a new house built – brick by brick, level by level with her own money – for herself and her three children. Gerhard remained behind in the common law house.
Recently, Gerhard appeared at Susan’s house demanding to live with her and their children. He had lost his house because he fell behind on his payments.
She refused. As a result, Gerhard started to kick and punch her all over her body. This he did in the presence of their children.
Her injuries from this attack were so severe that she was hospitalised and booked off from work for a week.
Gerhard was imprisoned, let out of jail on bail of N$500, and moved in with family members.
Susan is in constant fear of her former husband. He has on numerous occasions beaten her, and after the divorce threatened to kill her should she see other men.
She has reported his threats to the police. Neither Susan nor her children have ever received counseling. They hope Gerhard will come to his senses and leave them alone, or move to another town.
This is not a new story. And it is not unique. It is a story that permeates the lives of so many families in this country. And, sadly, it is not a story that is unique to Namibia. It is a worldwide problem.
A 2002 World Health Organisation (WHO) Report on Health and Violence illustrated that in 2000, an estimated 1.6 million people worldwide died as a result of self-inflicted, interpersonal or collective violence. These deaths occurred in mainly low- to middle-income countries, and less than 10 percent occurred in high-income countries.
Also in 2000, an estimated 520???_?_’???_?’???_???