While rape and murder are wellpublicised, more widespread and hidden are forms of violence not evidenced by physical scars. Reports of gender based violence gbv in namibia have increased dramatically over the last years. South africas rate of rape, as a particular form of gender based violence has been found to be one of the highest in the world unodc south africa 2002. A protection order is a court order directing the abuser to stop the violence. Introduction experienced by an estimated one third of women worldwide unicef, 2009, genderbased violence gbv is a global affront to human rights, a public health crisis, and a major barrier to development. Namibia has one of the highest rates of gender based violence gvb in the entire. Namibian police gender based violence investigation unit. Presidents emergency plan for aids relief pepfar with the u. The context of school based violence the levels and patterns of violence in schools often reflect the levels and patterns of violence in countries, communities and families.
The scourge of gender based violence in south africa. Namibia has some strong laws that address gender based violence. Discuss what genderbased violence is and why it is a violation of womens human rights. There is also a strong association between gender based violence and high levels of conflict in a relationship, such as conflict around. Intimate partner violence accounts for the majority of womens experiences of violence. As ive said, the root cause of all violence and all gender based violence in the world, and in south africa as well, is patriarchy. Embassys american cultural center in namibia, under the american music abroad program, is hosting a series of public concerts next week on antibullying and genderbased violence delivered by american hiphop group wordsmith. National gender policy 201020 3 foreword it is of the utmost importance to the namibian government to improve the status of women in society and to eradicate injustices of the past. Historically, domestic violence was considered a private family matter and police intervention often consisted of advising the abuser to cool off or to take a walk. One out of three women in namibia have experienced or will experience.
Every day women, girls and boys are beaten, assaulted or raped, often by people they know. In reality, men and women must work together to achieve real and sustainable change in namibia. Terrible crimes are being committed in namibia on a daily basis. Addressing genderbased violence through community empowerment. Strategies for media representatives on covering genderbased. Nov 28, 2014 as the world commemorates 16 days of activism against sexual and gender based violence, a southern african nongovernmental organisation has called for radical shift in approaches to end the scourge.
Namibia gender analysis 2017 european external action. Facilitator presents facts and statistics on gender based violence in the country of training and engages participants in a discussion focusing on. Genderbased violence and livelihood interventions fao. Genderbased violence gbv is generally accepted as one of the most urgent issues facing namibian society and policymakers. Focusing only on women would reinforce the stereotype that men do not have a responsibility to help fight gender based violence. Gender based violence is a human rights violation, it is also a brutal manifestation of the wider discrimination against women, which is to be understood against the background of the subordination of women within the patriarchal system that still exists in south africa and in most countries. To provide for the issuing of protection orders in domestic violence matters. Dec 08, 2016 the 16 days of activism against genderbased violence, which happen each year from nov. The namibian recently published an article summarising some of the notable judgements that came from the courts in 2009 delays erode justice in 2009, the namibian, friday, january 8. Poverty is most pronounced among the 44% of female headed households in rural areas. Combating of domestic violence act 4 of 2003 namibia legal. Gender based violence in namibiasince namibias independence in 1990, the country has been admired both at home and abroad, as a beacon of stability, peace, and security.
The cases reported are some of the most disturbing to have occurred during the year the gang rape of a schoolgirl, the rape and murder of a 16yearold girl, the rape and murder of a threeyearold child, the violent rape of an 80yearold woman. Gender based violence is any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. Gender and violence in namibia human development reports. Gender, domestic violence, and the spread of hivaids. These in turn, reflect prevailing political and socioeconomic conditions, social attitudes, cultural traditions and values, and laws. To all victims of gender based violence in namibia for being the motivation for this. An exploratory assessment and mapping of gbv response services in windhoek introduction g enderbased violence gbv is a human rights issue of endemic proportions in namibia. The report gives an overview of violence as a global, south african and namibian issue and explores the underlying causes and contributing factors, including globalization and social changes such as domestic violence and rape. Economic implications of business dynamics for keassociated economic growth and inclusive development in african countries article pdf available in ssrn electronic journal. Researcher studies why genderbased violence persists in namibia. The international telecommunications union reports that in 2015, namibia s mobile broadband penetration stood at 62 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, the fourth highest in africa after cape verde, botswana and ghana, referring to namibia as one of the frontrunners in africa in ict development. World bank, 2009, genderbased violence, health and the role of the health sector pdf. This report documents examples of legislation in subsaharan africa4 designed to combat gender based violence and evaluates how law can effectively address the challenges associated with violence against women. Welcome to the national gender and equality commission.
The gender based violence indicators study is a southern african research project aimed at measuring and monitoring the extent, effect, cost of, and efforts to end. Apr 15, 20 in 2010 statistics showed that 11 770 cases of gender based violence were reported countrywide, of which 85% were serious assault cases, 9% were rapes and 3% murders. It is therefore regrettable that hardly a day passes without reports of murder, rape, beatings, or other forms of violence against women and girls at the hands of men. It has also been described as a gender based crime where the majority of abusers are men and the majority of victims are women. It covers violence between husbands and wives, parents and children, boyfriends and girlfriends, and close family members. Domestic violence in namibia and the combating of domestic. Ending genderbased violence gbv and ensuring womens security is a priority for the. Genderbased violence, extreme behaviour that is based on gender inequality and the need to express a sense of male superiority through physical and nonphysical domination, is an area of growing concern in namibia. Namibia has some strong laws that address genderbased violence. When it comes to gender based violence and sexual violence in particular, statistics indicate a high level of these crimes in south africa. This publication is made possible by the generous support of the american people through the u.
Study on genderbased violence in sport european commission. Gender based violence amie kandeh, leading advocate in sierra leone for womens rights and protection. Chapter 1 provides a brief definition of key concepts and sets the context of. This includes threats of violence, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private. Sister namibia commemorates 16 days of activism against gender violence from friday. Namibia is part of the 1979 convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and children.
Namibia gender analysis 2017 legal assistance centre. Stigma and the associated emotion of shame combine to become a powerful. Focusing only on women would reinforce the stereotype that men do not have a responsibility to help fight genderbased violence. A life skills teachers manual got established to guide teachers. The 20002001 namibia nhdr focuses on gender and violence and its impact on namibian society. Gender research and advocacy project at the legal assistance centre, and. Republic of namibia national gender policy 20082018.
Specifically, the report looks at gender based violence. Preventing and responding to genderbased violence sida. Seeking a lasting solution to gender based violence in namibia. Haihambo zack kazapua michael shirungu nelago indongo kletus likuwa omu kakujahamatundu editor. A namibia fit fr cildren prevention of violence against children and women the situation namibia is grappling with endemic levels of violence against children and women. Analyze genderbased violence from the womens human rights perspective. We keep manual records of all type of cases including gbv cases seen and is therefore mixed.
The status of genderbased violence in namibia the namibian. Despite a raft of important and largely progressive legislative reforms such as the combating of domestic violence act 2003 and the combating of rape act 2000 gbv remains a developing crisis in namibia. Pdf economic implications of business dynamics for ke. Approximately 67% of the population live in rural areas, a decline from 72% in 1991. The plan was further guided by the members of the national advisory committee on genderbased violence which was launched in 2008 by his excellency hifikepunye pohamba, president. Domestic violence is a unique crime in that the offender often lives in the same home as the victim. Another recommendation is consolidation or development of existing resources for journalists, including. Stock theft is a prevalent crime in namibia and carries hefty penalties. Agency for international development usaid under the. The global campaign takes place from november 25 to december 10, which is international human rights day. Wordsmith will perform three concerts while in namibia. Globally, one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of. Gbv is an umbrella definition including a wide range of expressions of violence.
Women in namibia continue to experience pervasive gender and intrahousehold inequalities contributing to income poverty. Men, women and people that transit genders in south africa are impacted by violence in multiple and intersecting ways. The overarching goal for ngec is to contribute to the reduction of gender inequalities and the discrimination against all. Children who were abused are more likely prevention of violence. The national gender equality commission is a constitutional commission with the objectives of promoting gender equality and freedom from discrimination. How can namibia lower its hivaids status from being one of the countries with the highest infection rates to the least infected country.
Gender based violence is a universal problem of pandemic proportions. Violence not only scars the survivor for life, it also hinders economic. He pointed out that the community and the police are more focused on the offender instead of looking at the triangle of crime in totality. It provides a procedure for getting a protection order from a magistrates court as an alternative to laying criminal charges.
Facilitator leads a brainstorming session to create a list of words that describe genderbased violence. Lessons from the genderbased violence initiative in mozambique. Baseline assessment report on gender based violence in. Cbos community based organizations cedaw convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women dhs demographic and health survey dwa department of womens affairs in the office of the president ecn electoral commission of namibia fao food and agriculture organization. Internationally, domestic violence and other forms of violence against women first began. The first lady of the republic of namibia has initiated a national campaign to fight gbv. Violence against women key findings women across the world, regardless of income, age or education, are subject to physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence. Domestic violence is a form of gender based violence which arises from the unequal power relations between women and men. Genderbased violence takes centre stage namibian sun. Genderbased violence who helped to formulate actionoriented recommendations to eliminate genderbased violence, which informed the development of this plan. Lawrence when the parliament of namibia passed the combating of rape act in 2000, it was seen as progressive legislation to combat genderbased violence in a nation scarred by the effects of war in the shadow of apartheid. Eva mendes and amie kandeh of the international rescue committee discuss gender based violence. Pdf the united nations has identified genderbased violence against women as a global health and. Seeking solutions for genderbased violence namibian sun.