AKUNIIHOLE – Namibia has witnessed an increase in rape with records indicating that 2 818 cases of rape were registered between January 2018 and September this year. Gender minister Doreen Sioka further indicated that of the rape cases registered about 2 357 were perpetrated against women and children.

During the same period the Namibian police also recorded 94 murder cases of which 54 were of women and children.
The revelations were made at the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, which was celebrated at Akuniihole in Oshana region yesterday. 

Given the statistics, the minister said, it is evident that more women and children are still suffering at the hands of community members and family.

“As such, there is a need to collectively implement measures that ensure full recovery and build a world that is better, more resilient, just, and sustainable,” said Sioka. The minister said GBV is a collective fight and as such everyone has a role in addressing issues of GBV. The minister further said there is a pertinent need to build a better Namibia for the present and future generations.

“We need to ensure the voices of the most affected and vulnerable inform the preventative and response efforts of GBV. We must all address the inequality pandemic,” the minister said sternly. Sioka said in addressing GBV, the country should strive to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights for all women, men, girls and boys in our society.
In addition, Sioka said as the country seeks to find ways to recover from the global crisis of Covid-19, there is a need to further encourage men and boys and engage them in the fight against GBV.

She said when engaged effectively, men and boys in the society can become catalysts for change, said Sioka.
“We need to create space for men to discuss issues of GBV and for them to be involved in promoting gender equality, respect of human dignity and prevention of GBV in our society. We need to train our boys to respect women and girls in our homes,” said Sioka.
– nashipala@nepc.com.na