Vol. 24#2

N A M I B I A
The
Sports
Issue
Beata Naigambo - blazing the marathon trail
Shooting for gold with Gaby Ahrens
Why sports is good for girls
Fit through the ages
August 2012 • Vol. 24#2•
ISSN 1026-9126 • N$10.00
Dear Sister readers,
W
elcome to the second edition of Sister Namibia magazine for 2012. In this special sports edition,
we profile two women who will be representing Namibia at the London Olympics starting on
27July this year. Laura Sasman gets insight into the life, dedication and routine of Beata Naigambo,
one of Namibia’s top performing marathon runners. We also interviewed Gaby Ahrens, who will be
representing Namibia in what some may think is an unusual discipline for a woman-Sport Shooting.
We are as excited as the rest of the world for the Olympics to begin, and we will be rooting for all our
representatives, both women and men as they go for Gold, Silver or Bronze!
As usual, we have our regular pages such as Women’s Mental Health, which this month looks at
burnout, how to check for signs of it, and why it is essential for women to have ‘me’ time. On the
Women’s Safety page, we look into the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace. It is important
that women to feel safe everywhere they are, and this article offers advice on steps a woman can take
when reporting sexual harassment at the workplace. This edition boasts a variety of guest writers and
contributions, which we appreciate and encourage all other women to follow suit.
As usual, you will notice a few subtle and some glaring changes in our layout-we are trying out new
ideas and designs that we hope you like. Feedback, critical and constructive, is always welcome as we
work towards making Sister magazine YOUR magazine.
HAPPY READING!
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! SEND US YOUR PERSONAL STORIES, TRUE OR CREATIVE AND WRITTEN IN ANY LOCAL LANGUAGE.
FOR EVERY EDITION, SISTER NAMIBIA WILL SELECT TWO STORIES FOR PUBLICATION. THE STORIES SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN 600 WORDS,
AND REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING YOUR STORIES!
WHO WE ARE:
S
ister Namibia is a feminist organization based in
Windhoek, Namibia.
Our vision is a society that recognizes, protects and
celebrates the full personhood of all women and girls
including respect for our dignity, diversity, sexual choices
and bodily integrity.
We aim to inspire and equip women to make free
choices and act as agents of change in our relationships,
our communities and ourselves. We are dedicated to
developing a new feminist politics and consciousness. We
work for transformation through education, information,
collective action, and celebration.
Our current activities include publishing Sister Namibia
magazine, developing a Young Feminists Programme and
campaigning for women and girl’s sexual and reproductive
health and rights.
We house a resource centre with materials on feminisms
and gender issues in our Windhoek office, and carry out
workshops, forums and events on women’s rights and
gender equality issues.
This magazine was made possible by funding from the
Olof Palme International Center and Heinrich Böell
Foundation .
Board of Trustees: Leigh-Anne Agnew (chairperson),
Immaculate Mogotsi, Rudolf Gawaseb, Nicky Marais,
Fransina Mutumbulwa.
CONTACT US
Windhoek Office
163 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Eros, Windhoek
PO Box 86753, Windhoek, Namibia
Telephone: +264 (0)61 -230618 or 230757
Fax: +264 (0)61- 236371
Email: media@sisternamibia.org or
director@sisternamibia.org
Website: www.sisternamibia.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SisterNamibia
Twitter: @SisterNamibia
Cover image from: www.getfreewallpapers.com
© Sister Namibia 2012
All Rights Reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced
without the written permission of the publisher. Views and opinions
expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Sister Namibia.
WHAT’S INSIDE
11
4
14
REGULARS
CONTENTS
Beata Naigambo-Life is a marathon
Gaby Ahrens-Namibia’s Sharp
Shooting Olympic Contender
4/5
6/7
Vox Pops
10
Brother Namibia
13
Women’s Safety
15
5 Reasons why women and
girls should play sports
8
MDG’s
Ondjokonona
9
Modern Day Slavery16
Poetry-Louise Erdrich
11
Women’s Health 20/21
Beware of Burnout!
14
Feminist Forum
Thumbs up, thumbs down
17
Ongara muinyo 24/25
Sister Namibia Resource Centre
28/29
Home Page
32
SMS your Say
33
Today the issue is...
34
18/19
22/23
Women and
the world
26/27
Newsclippings
30/31
Counselling
& Support Services 35
July 2012
N A M I B I A
3
BEATA NAIGAMBO
LIFE’S
B
eata is twenty minutes late for our appointment: “They are coming,” the security
guard at the gate assures me. So I wait. In my rear-view mirror, I eventually see a
small group of runners approaching the stadium on the dusty road. Among them
is Beata Naigambo. A light sweat stands on her brow, but there is no other obvious
indication that this diminutive young woman just spent the last two hours – and 25kms
later – running and training. But she still has to complete her 10 cooling-down laps, and
so I wait a little bit longer.
Once finished, the woman I met comes across as friendly, soft spoken and very self-assured. And why
shouldn’t she be? Beata Naigambo, born in Ohangwena region, a former A.Shipena learner, resident
of Katutura, proud mother of sixth-grader Elizabeth (Queeny) Iita and still-working police woman,
together with three other women, this year will be representing Namibia at the Summer Olympics in
London. She is a marathon runner.
The word marathon is sometimes used to refer to a difficult task or to the limits of human endurance.
Here, however it refers to a long road race. To be exact, a 42.195 kilometres race. Hundreds of
marathon races are run every year, mostly by recreational runners. Considered to be a race that was
too strenuous, women were barred from officially running the marathon until about 40 years ago.
Since then, thousands of women have participated in marathons. However, to be one of the best
runners in a country, one needs to be special, to have vision and to be extra-ordinarily committed to
the sport.
4
N A M I B I A
July 2012
WOMEN IN SPORT
’S A MARATHON
By Laura Sasman
Running for the Welwitchia club, Beata got a
new coach, Hannes van Horst, who helped her
become who she is today.
Training to be an elite marathon runner is not
easy. Beata gets up at 4 in the morning every
day to eat breakfast. This allows for a threehour digestion period before training. Training/
running starts at 7 and usually ends up around
9 o’clock. Training consists of warming up and
stretching, some weight training, circuit training,
road training and cooling down. Then it is time
for re-fuelling and resting, only to do the same
routine in the afternoon again. Beata has a
second job as well as a police woman. In addition,
she is an active and involved mother.
But Beata loves to run and she cannot imagine
a day when she is not running. Her current
coach, Tobias Hiskia, often has to remind her
to rest and take care of herself. Beata’s running
partners are: Lavinia Haitope (22), Nangula
Ndeshimona Ekandjo (22), Oscar Komeya, and
Julian Freeman.
Phoenix rises from
the ashes
Contributed by the Phoenix Rugby Club
Her life story is a typical Namibian story. Born
to a family of five children, Beata’s father died
when she was young and she was raised by a
single mother, who is a nurse. In her younger
days, her mother played netball. While she
might not have inherited her athleticism from
her parents, she learned from her mother to be
a courageous, strong and independent woman.
When young Beata started running in 1996 in
school “it was like playing.” Beata’s running
partner in the location at the time was Ruben
Indongo. Together they were a strong junior
team. In 1998 Beata represented Namibia at
the Junior Championship in Tunisia. She came
home with the junior record in the 5 000 meter.
This was when she started being serious about
running. In 1999 she participated in the World
Cross-Country competition. She entered this
race without a coach and as this was her first
big international race, she did not do very
well. However, this was Beata’s induction into
international running. Beata also represented
Namibia at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Phoenix, a new women’s rugby team based in
Namibia who play in their trademark bright
pink colours. The name and colour were chosen
carefully to symbolise the rising out of the ashes
or overcoming hardship and difficulty, as well as
to signify the time when the idea for the team
emerged - as a show for support for breast-cancer
awareness month. ‘Homeground’ to the 30-strong
team is the Pioniers Boys School field in Windhoek.
Their coaching consists of the exact same drills
and skills training as men, with a fitness- and
conditioning training programme endorsed by
the Pumas Franchise of South Africa.Increasing
the ability and skill of team members means that
they are not afraid to get physical and tackle their
opponents.
Officially established only in March this year,
Phoenix already has quite a number of games
under their belt. They have to date been involved
in four league and two friendly matches, and hold
the inaugural tournament title and are the top of
the log with three wins.
With their mantra, ‘Empowerment, Mentroship
and Ownership’, Phoenix members are committed
to a number of social causes which include Breast
Cancer awareness and support to the Cancer
Association, as well as aiding a soup kitchen
for the needy. Believing that charity begins at
home, Phoenix players are deeply involved
with the coaching of girls and boys, including
the MAMMADU Foundation and SOS Children’s
Village respectively.
These women not only have guts, they also have
heart!
July 2012
N A M I B I A
5
economist.com.na
PROFILE
GABY AHRENS
Namibia’s Sharp Shooting
O lympic Contender
A
s one of four women who will be representing Namibia in this year’s London
Olympics, Gaby Ahrens will be participating in a sport that is seen by some as
particularly unfeminine- Sport Shooting. And Gaby has earned her place by her skill, drive
and determination to be the best at this sport-and not just the best woman. In May this
year, Gaby was the only woman amongst 22 competitors at the South African Olympic
Trap Championships in Cape Town where she went on to win the bronze medal. No doubt
that Gaby loves what she does, she does it well. Sister Namibia caught up with her and
picked her brain about her expectations for the Olympics.
Q
How did you take up Sport Shooting?
My family has always been involved in sport shooting. My grandparents won plenty of local
competitions in their time; my father and brother are also sport shooters, so I guess this was
my destiny. I started in 2003 – shooting at a few targets trying to understand what my father and
brother were raving about – and it bloomed into my greatest passion. I started competing in local
competitions and this has fired up the competitive side in me. I represented Namibia for the first
time in 2006 on the international scene. I love striving for perfection and this is what Olympic Trap
Shooting is about.
6
N A M I B I A
July 2012
Q
az.com.na
az.com.na
az.com.na
PROFILE
Sport Shooting is not a typically female
sport-how hard was it for people to take you
seriously in the sport?
The support I had from my father and husband since
day-one has helped me through the tough times.
My father has supported me 100% in my sport and
my life. He has taught me that luck comes to those
who work hard. He has also taught me to never
give up and fight for what you believe in. I assist
with organizing public events introducing our sport
to interested parties. I also coach fellow shooters. I
am part of a fundraising committee which has raised
over 1 million dollars towards building a world class
shooting range facility in Namibia which enables
athletes to train properly for international events.
In Namibia Clay Target Shooting has definitely
grown in numbers over the past years. My sport
is represented in over 150 countries world wide.
Shooting is one of the sports that has featured in
the Olympic Games since the beginning and has a
long and prominent history in the games.
to win an Olympic medal, but these are very hard to
come by. It is my Job in London to represent Namibia
to the best of my ability. I want to focus 100% on my
targets and I want to shoot a respectable score and
hopefully this will be enough to reach the final. On
a good day, I have the capabilities to beat the best,
anything is possible, and I believe the rest is faith.
You know, medals are not made out of gold, silver
or bronze. They are made out of dedication, sweat,
tears, time and passion.
Q
Why do you think it’s important for girls to
take up any sport?
A healthy body equals a healthy mind.
Being fit and healthy is important for self esteem.
Sport also gives girls opportunities to meet new
people and make friends. Thanks to my sport,
my eyes have been opened to the world. I am
exposed to many different cultures and beliefs and
have learned to respect them and see the good in
them. I have met and made friends with different
people from different countries…sport to me really
Is this your first Olympics? If so, what are is One World, One Dream – The Olympic dream!
your expectations?
Sport also is a great equalizer and brings together
London 2012 will be my second Olympic a nation. Athletes competing at international
Games. I participated in the Beijing Olympic competitions represent not only themselves but
Games in 2008 on a Wild Card invitation by also their country and its people. To be ambassador
the International Olympic Committee. It was a of my country makes me proud, it gives me the
traumatizing experience and my expectations feeling of belonging and able to make a difference
killed the whole experience. For the past 4 Years I somewhere, no matter how big or small. After a
have strived towards being the best on the African lot of up-hill climbing, the return is priceless and
continent and my efforts led to me qualifying for the worthwhile. My sport gives me 100% personal
Olympic Games in London 2012. A big achievement satisfaction.
that contributed to this was in 2011 when I clinched
Gold at the African Shooting Championships in 2011
How do men react when they find out that
in Rabat. Morocco. That win earned me the quota
you’re handy with a gun?
place for the Olympics. I want to be sure that I give
Its funny you ask, because it’s always the same
my best representing my country at the games, reaction. They ask me whether they must watch out
but I also want to take the best out of the games and some consider me dangerous! I still don’t really
experience and walk away with satisfaction.
get what the one (being a woman) has to do with
the other (being handy with a gun) but you know
:What do you think your chances for bringing men are from Mars after all!
home a medal are?
I try not to think too much of the medals and
Olympic glory. Of course it is every athlete’s dream
Q
Q
Q
July 2012
N A M I B I A
7
WOMEN AND SPORTS
5
G
REASONS WHY WOMEN AND
GIRLS SHOULD PLAY SPORTS
irls and women who engage in sports may do it to have fun, to get fit or to lose weight, but there is
strong evidence that being active and playing sports has broader and more long-lasting benefits
other than making life more enjoyable – which in itself is a good-enough reason. Research suggests
that sports participation, other than improving the quality of daily life - can make a difference in the longterm development, health, as well as the in the educational and work achievement of girls and women. While
there are many reasons, we will look at five important reasons why girls and women should play sports:
1. Girls who play sports do better
in school. You might think that sports
and athletics will take up all your study
time. But research shows that girls who
play sports do significantly better in
school than those who don’t. Exercise
improves learning, memory, and concentration, which
can give active girls an advantage in the classroom.
Participating in sports boosts girls’ performance and
puts them on a more equal footing with boys.
2. Girls who play sports learn
teamwork and goal-setting skills.
Sports teach valuable life skills. When
you are working with team-mates,
trainers or coaches to win games and
achieve goals, you’re learning how to be successful.
Those skills will serve you well at school, work and
in life.
3. Sports are good for a girl’s
health. In addition to being fit and
maintaining a healthy weight, girls
who play sports are also less likely to
smoke. Later in life, girls who exercise
are less likely to get breast cancer or
osteoporosis. Participation in sport also reduces
heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Physically
active people have a reduced risk of heart disease
and stroke compared to those with a sedentary
lifestyle.
Exercise generally strengthens the immune system
and there is evidence that exercising several times
per week decreases menstrual complaints. Doing
sports also is good for your mental health.
4. Playing sports boosts selfconfidence, self esteem and selfperception. Girls who play sports
feel better about themselves. Why? It
builds confidence when you know you
can practice, improve, and achieve
your goals. Sports are also a feel-good activity
because they help girls get in shape, maintain a
healthy weight, and make new friends. There also
seems to a correlation between participating in
sports and lower risks of unwanted sexual behaviour
and pregnancy as well as reduced drug and alcohol
abuse.
5. Exercise cuts the pressure and
adds more vitality. Playing sports
can lessen stress and help you feel
happier. How? The brain chemicals
released during exercise improve a
person’s mood. Friends are another
mood-lifter and being on a team creates tight bonds
between friends. It’s good to know your team-mates
will support you — both on and off the field!
Girls who play sports get a lot more than just fittness,
so come on girls, get out and get active!
With information from www.kidshealth.org
Glossary
Osteoporosis: is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time, which leads to your back bending over time,
and weakening of your bones.
Sedentary: Sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle with no or irregular physical activity. A person who lives a sedentary
lifestyle may sometimes be known as a couch potato.
8
N A M I B I A
July 2012
ONDJOKONONA
NKENE WU NA OKUKALA WA TSEYA
OMUDHIGOLOKO GWOYE NOKUKALA MEGAMENO
A
akiintu naanona yaakadhona yomwaalu gwa konda pomiliona mboka ye li muNamibia oye na uuthemba wokukala yu uvite ya gamenwa noye li megameno.
Konyala etata lyaaniilonga mOvenduka aakiintu
- yamwe ohaa longo sigo kwa luudha nenge haa
longo pamalutho gomiilonga yuusiku (ooshifta
dhuusiku), onkene ohaa inyenge oowili adhihe. Oshi
li oshiyamateki kaakiintu, naanona yaakadhona
osho wo oongundu oonshona dhaantu mboka
ya pumbwa egameno itaa vulu okwiinyenga ya
manguluka ethimbo kehe uuna taa yi kiilonga yawo
yesiku kehe. Oomeme naanona yaakadhona oyo
oshihakanwa shomahepeko nomaponokelo, ongele
otaa yi kosikola, koositola, taa ka talela po ookahewa
nenge taa yi koodisco, ano komahala goondanisa
nomainyanyudho, kashi na mbudhi kutya ethimbo
peni. Omilamba niitopolwa mbyoka yi na iihwa ya
thita oya ninga ongamba, itayi endwa koomeme
nokaanona yaakadhona, nonkalo ndjika ohayi
holoka wo momapandaanda, moositola, moosikola,
mongerki nosho wo pomahala gomagongalelo
gaakwashigwana. Osha pumba okukala ino uva
meme nenge omukadhona inaa hepekwa payihulo,
palutu nosho wo pamadhiladhilo omanga a li
ipyakidhila nokulonga iilonga ye ya kwalukehe.
Shaashi otashi kutha ethimbo okulundulula
omadhiladhilo goonakuhepeka, sho ishewe otashi
pula ethimbo opo aanapolitika ya tule oshinima
shika miikundathanwa yawo, opu na iinima
oyindji mbyoka aakiintu taa vulu okuninga opo ya
hwepopaleke eigameno lyawo.
Pata omiyelo dhoye: Aakiintu oyendji ohaa kala
oyo ayeke nenge ye li nuunona wawo oyo ayeke
nosha simana ya kale ye li megumbo ya gamenwa.
Kashi na mbudhi kutya owu li megumbo omofleta,
omomuhandjo nenge omombashu kwashilipaleka
kutya omweelo gwoye ogwa pata.
Panga uukuume naashiinda shoye: Olwindji aantu
ohaya silathana oshimpwiyu ngele oye shaathane.
Ngele opo we ya po pehala, kambadhala wi
itseyithe pamwe naanona yoye kaashiinda shoye.
Holola uukuume woye nankene ngoye omushiinda
omwaanawa. Aashiinda mboka ye shaathane ohaa
silathana oshimpwiyu noku ku kwatha ngele owa
ponokelwa.
Iyageka pomahala ge li momilema: Aaponokeli
noonakuhepeka aakiintu oyo omawaya ngoka
haga kala taga kongo, “aantu mboka itaa vulu
okwiigamena
nuupu”,
onkene
iyageka
omapandaanda,
ondjila nomahala ge li momilema. Ngaka ogo
omapandaanda/oondjila nomahala ngoka ga
luudha nayi uusiku itamu ende nando aayendi
yokolupadhi nenge aakwashigwana yalwe. Osha
simana opo aakiintu nenge aanona yaakadhona ya
kale ye wetike ano ye li puuyelele. Ngele ito vulu
okukala ino enda pomahala ge li momilema, endeni
aluhe muungundu nenge nakuume koye.
Endeni aluhe muungundu: Omanga shi li oshiponga
kaakiintu okuponokelwa nokuhepekwa ethimbo
kehe, ano omutenya nuusiku, otaa londodhwa
kutya naya ende muungundu wookuume kawo,
unene tuu momilema.
Iyageka okuya popepi niiyenditho mbyoka tayi
ende kashona: Ngele oto ende ndele oshihauto
tashi ku thikamene inoya po! Kashi na mbudhi
kutya omuntu nenge aantu mboka ye li mo otaye
ku pula wu ya pukulule nenge taye ku lombwele
kutya oya kanitha okanona nosho tuu. Ompango
yokokinda ndjoka tayi londodha aanona yaa popye
naantu kaye ya shi mpaka otayi longo naanana sha
faathana.
Kala to monika wu na oonkondo: Edhiladhilo ndika
oha li monika ka ko edhigu nenge ka li li nawa, ashike
osho omukalo omunene gwokukeelela eponokelo.
Ngele oto monika wa kondopala ompito onene
noonkondo aantu ye ku thige po inaye ku ninga sha.
Omuntu kehe ngoka to tsakaneke kala we mu tala
momeho wa ukilila. Thikama wu ukilila nokuulika
oonkondo dhoye. Ino holola kutya ngoye oto vulu
okuninga oshihakanwa nuupu.
Mangela omafufu goye konima (okabola):
Omafufu ngoka ge endjelela osho wo oonguyo dha
ya lala, otashi pe omuponokeli gwoye uupu woku
ku kwata. Kambadhala okumanga omafuku goye
okabola nenge omikalo dhilwe dhokuninga omafufu
omafupi opo shi kale oshidhigu okukwatwa.
Kala wa ndjanga nowa nuka po: Natu tye oshinima
sha simana noonkondo okukala wa ndjanga
nokwiilonga, okuuva ko oonkalo moka to iyadha
wu li. Ngele ngoye nda dhini okutumbula, pungoye
opwe ya okatekisa mu na aalumentu yatatu ya hala
oku ku pa olefa, ino londa mo. Shuna monima,
okuza pondjila mpoka opo inaye ku hilila mo.
July 2012
N A M I B I A
9
VOX POPS
What should be done to men who commit acts of
violence against women in Namibia to make it stop?
S
ick and tired of report after report of violence against women, of all ages and circumstances in
Namibia, Sister Namibia was compelled to speak to a few women on what their thoughts are around
violent acts committed against women in Namibia, and what it would take to make the (mostly male)
perpetrators of these crimes stop. It’s important to state that the views and opinions expressed on this page
are not necessarily those of Sister Namibia.
Frieda Hamukoto- 21
SN: What should be done to men who commit violent crimes against women
in Namibia?
Frieda: I think women should speak out, making posters in the street, that
people must stop the violence.
SN: Is that enough?
Frieda: No!
SN: What else do we need to do?
Frieda: The other thing is that, Namibia needs to put a rule that, anybody that
does violence against women, they should be killed.
SN: So for example, if one day your son commits an act of violence, should he
be killed?
Frieda: First he needs to be given a warning; at least three times, and after that he should than be
killed if he doesn’t change.
SN: Will that solve the problem?
Frieda: Yes!
SN: If men, who beat women are killed? Then the violence will stop?
Frieda: Or they must be jailed for life. Because women have rights too and they are in a free country,
we have the right to talk about our problems and move around freely.
Katrina Shoopala- 26
SN: What should be
done to men who commit
violent crimes against
women in Namibia?
Katrina: Maybe
we should have the
government bring back
the death penalty law
which was practiced
during war time, which said whoever kills
someone then they will be killed. Or even given
a life sentence.
SN: So what other solutions can you suggest
apart from the death penalty?
Katrina: It’s a very difficult situation. Us women
we are dying, if it goes on like this, there will not
be even 50% of women left in our country. So
maybe we should have Toll Free numbers; such
as women and child abuse, and perhaps they
can tell us something that we can do.
10
N A M I B I A
July 2012
Victoria Nikanor- 28
SN: What should be
done to men who commit
violent crimes against
women in Namibia?
Victoria: We should at
least set up a group,
where we can talk about
violence in Namibia, and
so that many people can
be active in preventing violence. Maybe we
can ask the government to recruit more social
workers, just to help people who are affected
by violence and by so doing; they can be free
to talk about what they experienced. We can
then publish their stories in the newspapers, so
that people read about what others have gone
through, and hopefully prevent people from
violating others rights.
POETRY
L
saltlighttomatoes.blogspot.com
“
eave the dishes.
Let the celery rot in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator
and an earthen scum harden on the kitchen floor.
Leave the black crumbs in the bottom of the toaster.
Throw the cracked bowl out and don’t patch the cup.
Don’t patch anything. Don’t mend. Buy safety pins.
Don’t even sew on a button.
Let the wind have its way, then the earth
that invades as dust and then the dead
foaming up in gray rolls underneath the couch.
Talk to them. Tell them they are welcome.
Don’t keep all the pieces of the puzzles
or the doll’s tiny shoes in pairs, don’t worry
who uses whose toothbrush or if anything
matches, at all.
Except one word to another. Or a thought.
Pursue the authentic - decide first
what is authentic,
then go after it with all your heart.
Your heart, that place
you don’t even think of cleaning out.
That closet stuffed with savage mementos.
Don’t sort the paper clips from screws from saved baby teeth
or worry if we’re all eating cereal for dinner
again. Don’t answer the telephone, ever,
or weep over anything at all that breaks.
Pink molds will grow within those sealed cartons
in the refrigerator. Accept new forms of life
and talk to the dead
who drift in though the screened windows, who collect
patiently on the tops of food jars and books.
Recycle the mail, don’t read it, don’t read anything
except what destroys
the insulation between yourself and your experience
or what pulls down or what strikes at or what shatters
this ruse you call necessity.”
-Louise Erdrich, Original Fire: Selected and New Poems
Marta Tesoro
Louise Erdrich is the author of thirteen novels as well as volumes
of poetry, short stories, children’s books, and a memoir of early
motherhood. Her novel Love Medicine won the National Book
Critics Circle Award. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No
Horse was a finalist for the National Book Award. Most recently,
The Plague of Doves won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a
finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Louise Erdrich lives in Minnesota and
is the owner of Birchbark Books, an independent bookstore.
July 2012
N A M I B I A
11
Verifying
guarantees your
monthly pension
to receive your pension?
The only way you can guarantee that you receive your monthly
pension is by verifying your existence with GIPF every 4 months.
If you aren’t already verified, go to your nearest GIPF office or
NamPost office before the 30th of June 2012 and take along
your GIPF Smart Card to verify. We can only guarantee that
you receive your monthly pension if you verify your existence.
Check your verification receipt which indicates the date that
you have to verify again.
Remember to verify 3 times a year:
1 November - 28 February | 1 March – 30 June | 1 July – 31 October
www.gipf.com.na
Government Institutions
Pension Fund
BROTHER NAMIBIA
men MARCH for CHANGE
By Ngamane Karuaihe-Upi
Umbi Karuaihe-Upi
C
oncern about the image and role
of men in society, especially in
regards to gender based violence,
prompted a few men to initiate a call for
men to stand up and express themselves
fully on it. Ngamane Karuaihe-Upi,
Carpio Amakali, Sakie Nikodemus, pastor
Michael Urikhob, amongst others, had a
number of meetings, and the decision was
taken to arrrange for a march in honor
of Mothers’day 2012. The dream was for
a 1000 Men to gather and walk a mile in
solidarity with the essence of mothers on
this planet. On Saturday May 12, about
100 people, of whom 56 were men, thus
held a peaceful march to protest violence
perpetrated against women, children
and other men, and to promote healthier
relationships in society under the theme
‘Men for Healthy Relationships’.
The march started at the UN Plaza in
Katutura, through Independence Avenue
to the Independence Arena, where they
offered prayers for forgiveness for the
countless brutal acts committed against
women and children. It was rather a
festive procession that resulted in men,
women and children joining along the
way to the final destination. Pastors in
the group stepped to the fore and prayed
for forgiveness on behalf of their male
counterparts who perpetrate these crimes.
The men pledged:
• To defend, validate and appreciate human life,
• To value, validate and appreciate the
women and children in my life as the
precious godly human beings they are,
and not treat them as objects,
• To refrain from using violence as an answer or solution to my problems, conflicts, or challenges in my life,
• To seek ways to embrace communication, negotiation, compromise and consultation as alternative healthier methods of conduct in all my relationships,
• Treat others as I would have them treat
me.
Amongst the supporters of this march were women
and children who wanted to witness such pledge by
their fathers and other men NOT to condone violence
committed anymore, specifically against women
and children. Also, the Legal assisitance Centre (LAC)
donated boxes of books and pamphlets relevant to the
prevention of violence and the sensitization of members
of the public on the upholding of human rights and
human life. Delivering a message on behalf of the Legal
Assistance Centre (LAC) former Member of Parliament,
Elma Dienda, congratulated the men who took part
in the march. Rosa Namises of Women’s Solidarity
and Magdalena Didalelwa of the Women Affairs Show
encouraged the men to retain the vibe of the day and
to continue upholding the pledge untill all men are won
over.
The aim of the event was to attract 1000 men to march
in support of healthy relationships and against violence
against women and children. However the event
organisers were satisfied with the turnout, as the “initial
first step to walk a mile....” Karuaihe-Upi expressed
satisfaction saying “We work with what we have.
Hopefully, it’s a ripple effect and that five years from
now, it will be a full house.”
Karuaihe-Upi hopes that this will become an annual
event, with men in all regions being encouraged to
create local support groups that can meet regularly in
support of this initiative to curb violence and upgrade
the quality of relationships in Namibia.
July 2012
N A M I B I A
13
WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
BEWARE OF BURNOUT !
By Maika Eysselein
Why women need to have ‘me’ time
A
Recent studies suggest that women, more than men, are under pressure
to be all things for all people. Gone are the days when a woman’s place
was thought only to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. We direct
operations in companies, and clean cafeterias. We are special advisors and
secretaries, nurses, teachers, truck drivers and diamond miners. Women
today do it all. In addition to that, some women choose to get married or
have children. This adds significantly to society’s expectations of women’s
roles not only as working women, but as mothers and wives.
Many women feel pressured to be perfect in everything they do. You
can’t just be a mother, you have to be a great mother. You can’t be just
an employee, you have to be an above- average employee. This leaves
women very little room for error and human imperfection, which can
and does place a heavy weight on women’s emotional and psychological
wellbeing.
antiagingremedies.org
re you a woman who is employed, and also has a family? Do you
struggle to balance your life as a worker, a wife, a girlfriend and
a mother? Rest assured you are not alone, as many women in
Namibia face similar stresses.
When ‘enough’ is enough and ‘more’ becomes too much
Mental health is a balancing act that may be affected by a number of
factors, including by the stress of working. Many women suffer from stress
to be perfect at everything they do or are. Some experts think that more
women than men want to be perfectionist, because – they say – women
tend to be ‘people pleasers,’ who ignore or forget their own needs. This
is reinforced by society giving special recognition to ‘hard workers.’ As a
result, women are more at risk of developing mental-health issues such as
anxiety, depression and burnout.
voxxi.com
While this pressure largely comes from society and community, a lot of the
pressure is self imposed. For women who grew up being taught that there
is only so much they can do or become, the opportunity to prove society
and culture wrong often is not taken lightly. Women then take and create
opportunities to not only participate in what is seen as male dominated
jobs or careers, but to excel in them as well.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do I tend to forget about my overall wellbeing?
Do I feel like I am not coping with the load? Do I view this as realistic
or do I beat myself up about not managing it well enough?
What does it mean to be a mentally healthy woman?
How are the boundaries of what a healthy woman is supposed to
achieve defined in my society/community?
Which roles are included in my definition of the healthy and successful
woman?
What influences my definition of my own success and health?
Wishing you the peace of mind to introspect and care for yourself!
14
N A M I B I A
July 2012
goodenoughmother.com
Even though the symptoms of burnout might be similar to depression,
medication won’t cure it. Instead, you need to be able to spot the
warning signs. For many, the downward spiral begins when they start
believing they have to be stressed to get anything done. It is important
that you understand the difference between positive and negative stress.
Productivity rises with stress, but only to a certain point, Burnout sets in
when you are working harder, but getting less work done. Women close to
burn-out often put themselves last on their own list.
Women need to ask themselves the following questions to determine
whether they are taking enough time out for themselves:
WOMEN’S SAFETY
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT THE WORKPLACE
S
exual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and can be defined as ‘unwelcome verbal, visual, or
physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe and affects working conditions or creates a hostile
work environment.’ Many different kinds of behaviour—verbal, visual or physical—that are of a
sexual nature may be sexual harassment.
Although a single unwanted request for a date or one sexually suggestive comment might offend you and/
or be inappropriate, it may not be sexual harassment. However, a number of relatively minor separate
incidents may add up to sexual harassment if the incidents affect your work environment. If you are
fired, refused a promotion, demoted, given a poor performance evaluation, or reassigned to a less desirable
position because you reject a sexual advance, that is certainly sexual harassment.
When you are deciding what to do, remember that every situation is different. There is no one best thing
to do. You should always report the sexual harassment to your employer. You then have the option to use
your company’s sexual harassment complaint process or file an official complaint with, for instance the
labour commission.
Examples of sexual harassment may be:
Verbal or written: Comments about clothing, personal behaviour, or a person’s body; sexual or sex-based
jokes; requesting sexual favours or repeatedly asking a person out; sexual innuendoes; telling rumours
about a person’s personal or sexual life; threatening a person
Physical: Assault, blocking movement; inappropriate touching of a person or a person’s clothing; kissing,
hugging, patting, stroking
Nonverbal: Looking up and down a person’s body, derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a sexual
nature; following a person
Visual: Posters, drawings, pictures, screensavers or emails of a sexual nature.
Below are some suggestions on how to deal with
sexual harassment at the workplace:
Say “No” Clearly: Tell the person that his/her
behaviour offends you. If the harassment doesn’t
end immediately, write a letter asking the harasser
to stop and keep a copy.
Write Down What Happened: As soon as you
experience the sexual harassment, start writing it
down. Write down dates, places, times, and possible
witnesses to what happened. If possible, ask your
co-workers to write down what they saw or heard,
especially if the same thing is happening to them.
Remember that others may (and probably will) read
this written record at some point. It is a good idea
to keep the record at home or in some other safe
place. Do not keep the record at work.
Report the Harassment: Tell your supervisor,
your human resources department or some other
department or person within your organization
who has the power to stop the harassment. If
possible, tell them in writing. Keep a copy of any
written complaint you make to your employer. It
is very important that you report the harassment
because your employer must know or have reason
to know about the harassment in order to be legally
responsible for a co-worker, client or customer’s
actions. Even if your harasser was your supervisor,
you may need to show that you reported the
harassment to your employer or give a good reason
why you didn’t.
Start a Paper Trail: When you report the sexual
harassment to your employer, do it in writing.
Describe the problem and how you want it
fixed. This creates a written record of when you
complained and what happened in response to it.
Keep copies of everything you send and receive
from your employer.
Use the Grievance Procedure at Work: Many
employers have policies for dealing with sexual
harassment complaints. You may be able to resolve
the problem through this process. To find out your
employer’s policies, look in your employee manual/
personnel policies and/or speak to a human
resources officer. It is important to follow your
employer’s procedures.
File a Discrimination Complaint with a
government agency: If you want to, file a
complaint with the labour commissioner’s office in
your region.
With information from www.equalrights.org
July 2012
N A M I B I A
15
b92.net
MODERN DAY SLAVERY
By Sister Bibiana Bunuan, MM
“Sara is an 18 year old woman from Lusaka, Zambia. Her uncle David, lives in Cape Town, South Africa, but
occasionally comes home. On one of his visits, Uncle David tells Sara that there are good restaurant jobs in Cape
Town for young women. He says that if she come to Cape Town with him, he will help her find a good job so that
she can earn money to send home to her family. Sara agrees to South Africa, but when they arrive in Cape Town, he
takes away her ID documents, including her passport. Uncle David tells Sara that she must pay for all of their living
expenses by working as a prostitute. Sara is very afraid, but when she refuses, he threatens to turn her over to the
police as an illegal immigrant. Eventually, after being threatened and beaten, Sara agrees to work as a prostitute
for her uncle.”
- IOM-International Organization for Migration
2
00 years ago the transatlantic slave trade was
abolished but today in the third millennium,
the world is caught up in another form
of slavery – Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Political
and historical events have brought about this
phenomenon. In an age of globalization people
started to look to other countries to better their lives
and borders were crossed which led to an increase
in trans-border migration. Poverty is often a factor
that encourages migration of people to what they
perceive to be richer countries.
This is mostly an empty promise and the person is
held against their will and forced to work to pay
off the ‘debt’ that the trafficker has incurred. More
young women and girls are trafficked than boys and
men, although anyone, whether a woman or a man
can be trafficked. Women too are involved in this
business as traffickers.
According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and
Child Welfare, “It is suspected that the largest
percentage of trafficking victims are children
engaged in prostitution….There is evidence that a
The increased migration in search for employment small number of Namibian children are trafficked
caused panic to richer countries which led to the within the country for domestic servitude, as well
institution of barriers such as visas and official as forced agricultural labour, cattle herding and,
work permits that are required to ensure that possibly, vending. There have been a few reported
people entering a country are legally resident. This cases of Zambian and Angolan children trafficked
triggered an increase trafficking and the lack of into Namibia for domestic servitude, agricultural
effective legislation against trafficking makes it easy labour, and livestock herding.”
for traffickers to obtain fast documents for victims.
Trafficking in persons is a growing concern globally.
Trafficking in persons occurs when persons are There is a need to be aware of this phenomenon.
recruited, transported, transferred, harboured It is a fifty seven billion dollar industry according
within their country or to another country from to Contact a publication of the World Council of
their place of origin. This is done by means of threat Churches, May 2007. Namibia is a destination or
or use of force, coercion, deception or they are transit for trafficking. In 2004 of Act no. 29 The
abducted and exploited either for sexual purposes Prevention of Organized Crime (POCA) was enacted
or for labour. The recruiter could be someone that criminalizes Trafficking in Persons. Offenders
familiar like a friend, a relative, neighbour, a travel maybe imprisoned for up to 50 years and fined
agency or even a stranger. The people are promised nearly one million Namibian dollars. No one has yet
good jobs, the opportunity to study, or even been prosecuted or convicted under POCA.
For more information on human trafficking please go to their
marriage. The traffickers guarantee that once you
website at www.iom.int.
reach the promised destination, you are free to go.
16
N A M I B I A
July 2012
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
DOWN
THUMBS UP
Thumbs up: to Africa’s second woman head-of-
Thumbs down: Zimbabwean senator Morgan
state, President Joyce Banda of Malawi for doing
more than lip service to tackle poverty in Malawi.
Stating that politicians in Malawi had ‘been living
beyond (their) means... where government has
been spending more than its revenues,’ Mrs Banda
recently announced the sale of her governments’
US$13,3 million presidential jet and 60 of her top
officials’ luxury cars. Her announcement comes
in the wake of an austerity drive aimed at cutting
government spending. Malawi is one of the
poorest countries in the world.
Femai believes that the prevalence of HIV and
AIDS in Zimbabwe should be blamed on attractive
and well-dressed women. Shooting his mouth
off, the babbling senator, during a parliamentary
conference on future health policy, reportedly
urged that ‘government should come up with
a law that compels women to have their heads
clean-shaven like what the Apostolic sects do.’He
continued his bizarre and misogynous onslaught
by stating that ‘Women have got more moisture in
their (reproductive) organs....so there is a need to
research how to deal with that moisture because it
is conducive for bacteria breeding.’ The misdirected
senator went on that ‘ There should be a way to
suck out that moisture.’
Thumbs up: to Oshakati resident, Teopolina
Napewoshali Hangula, for setting a brilliant example
of honesty when she returned a found wallet full of
money, an ATM card plus pin number to its rightful
owner. Stating that ‘tomorrow it could be me, I
won’t be happy if I lose something and I don’t get
it back,’ Teopolina demonstrated empathy and
understanding for the plight of others.
Thumbs up: to Algerian President, Abdelazis
Bouteflika for mandating a quota for women’s
representation in that country’s parliament. Only in
April this year, a mere 31 women sat in the Algerian
parliament. Since May, that number has jumped
to 146, giving women 31.6% representation in the
chamber. This move makes Algeria the trail blazer
in respect of women’s representation amongst
Muslim countries.
Thumbs up: to Fifa for adding a woman to its
executive committee for the first time. Lydia
Nsekera (aka the ‘iron lady’ of football,) president
of the Burundi Football Association, has been
installed as co-opted executive committee member
at the 62nd Fifa Congress held in May this year. A
former garage owner, Lydia was already a member
of Fifa’s committee for women’s football, the
Women’s World Cup as well as of the organising
committee for Olympic Football Tournaments.
Thumbs down to Rundu Regional Magistrate
William Kasitomo for not only letting former school
principle, Gervasius Sheende, off the hook after
impregnating a 16-year old school girl, but also
returning the N$10 000 bail that was paid to him.
DNA tests proved Sheende to be the father of a
girl born to a learner, but because the girl was 16
years old at the time when she was impregnated,
she was ‘beyond the protection of the Immoral
Practices Act as provided in the Constitution,’ the
Magistrate found. Laws regulating sexual relations
with teachers, namely the Code of Conduct for
Teaching Services declares that teachers should
‘keep moral standards’ and ‘avoid any sexual
abuse.’ Also that they may not become involved
in any form of romance or sexual relations with a
learner or sexual harassment or abuse of a learner.’
Thumbs Down: Male artists of the year 2011
(Jericho aka Jericho Gawanab) and 2012 MusheAlbert Ulenga) for assaulting their respective
partners. Not only are you a shame to yourselves,
you are a shame to the Namibian Annual Music
Awards committee and to musicians in Namibia.
Send your Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down to us
at media@sisternamibia.org
or SMS them to us at 0818357065
You can also post them on our Facebook page
at www.facebookcom/SisterNamibia.
July 2012
N A M I B I A
17
MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
marionmccristall.com
Education still not equal for
girls in Namibia
By Laura Sasman
MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
T
here is a saying that goes, ‘educate a man, you educate an individual, educate a woman, you
educate a nation.’ Wanting to know whether this is also true for Namibia, the Ministry of
Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGCEW), commissioned a gender assessment on
education in 2009.
The report, Education Gender Assessment and Strategy, handed over to the ministry in June this
year reveals that, while there are some improvements in addressing the issue, girls continue to
experience inequality in education.
The Gender Equality in Education Index (GEEI) is a measure that is used world-wide to determine
if and the extent to which gender equality is achieved. This tool measures girls’ primary-school
attendance, their completion of five years of schooling, enrolment in secondary school as well as
levels of gender inequality that girls will encounter in their future lives. The Namibian assessment
shows that while more girls than boys are enrolled in primary schools, more boys remain in secondary
school. This happens because many girls drop out either before they reach, or while they are in
secondary school.
Reasons for the high drop-out of girls include high number of teenage pregnancies (sometimes
by their teachers), harmful cultural attitudes and practices which include early marriages, as well
as gender stereotypes in the very teaching materials and school curriculums. Sexual violence and
abuse also have an effect on girls’ ability to remain and complete school. According to the report, in
Kunene, many girls drop out after completing grades three or four only. By this time, it is assumed
the girls are ready for marriage.
Other reasons why more girls than boys are dropping out of school early, include the fact that girls
generally have more domestic duties. HIV and Aids is a big factor in girls having more responsibilities
at home – including nursing the sick - than boys do. In some areas, girls’ duties include herding
livestock.Gender-neutral interventions and curriculums are not enough to ensure girls’ continued
access to and participation in education. In order to ensure gender equality and the full participation
of girls in education, it is necessary to not only look at the numbers of pupils enrolled in schools, it is
essential that government and society create an educational and social environment that makes it easy
for girls to remain in school. In addition to implementing policies and measures that will specifically
benefit girls, government has to actively address gender relations that affect girls’ attendance and
performance in school. These include traditional practices and attitudes, gender-based violence,
girls’ workloads, etc., that have been identified as problematic in Namibia.
The effect of opportunity cost has a powerful impact on girls education. Opportunity cost refers to
the ‘services’ that girls (also boys) render in a family. The implication of opportunity costs means
that if a girl remains in school, the ‘service’ of that child is lost in the household and the family.
Services of girls in particularly rural, but also poor urban households, include fetching water and
firewood, care for younger siblings when parents are working, and taking care of the sick. Families
and communities, therefore play an important role in girls’ ability to remain in school.
Some recommendations to address gender equality in education are reduction of school fees
specifically for girls, making girls enrolment and progression rate part of the school and teachers’
performance criteria, employment of more women teachers in rural areas, tackling gender-based
violence and sexual harassment and policy reforms on the admissibility of pregnant girls, in addition
to shifts in the practices and attitudes in families that make girls’ education difficult.
It is clear that gender-equality in education is a complex issue that needs broad national and social
commitment.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
The benefits of staying ACTIVE in old age
W
e sometimes believe that, as we grow older, we get weaker and suffer more aches and
pains. We might think that losing muscle and gaining fat are part of aging. But how do
some women stay fit and active well into their 50s and 60s? The answer is that many of
the symptoms of old age are really the symptoms of inactivity-of using our muscles less.
texascollaborative.org
Exercise and physical activity are among the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Many older
women shy away from exercise. They may be afraid that exercise will be too strenuous, or might
harm them. The opposite is actually true. Exercise is safe for people of all age groups. Older people
hurt their health far more by not exercising. The good news is that even if you have had an inactive
lifestyle, it’s never too late to improve your health.
Exercise to be healthy, not to be thin
No matter what your age or current state of health, exercising is a necessary and important part of healthy
aging as long as you are sure that you will not hurt yourself. Even people with physical impairments or
disabilities should exercise. If you have a constant condition affecting your muscles, joints, or bones,
inactivity can make the condition worse, or at least make it more difficult to live with. Research shows
that physical activity is both safe and useful for people with arthritis, loss of bone density, and other
chronic conditions of bones and joints.
While muscle weakness, bone loss and slow metabolism (the rate at which the body uses
energy) are changes associated with aging, problems caused by inactivity include loss of
strength, problems with balance, increasing stiffness or loss of flexibility and reduced stamina.
These areas are very important for on-going health and independence of older persons.
20
N A M I B I A
July 2012
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Quick Health Tips
Walking is another form of exercise that is
good for you. If you are afraid to walk on
your own, ask a friend or a family member
to walk with you. Not only does it keep the
body in better shape, but an active lifestyle
helps prevent loneliness which can improve
your emotional wellbeing and reduce
depression. Physical activity can help you live
independently for as long as possible. It’s never
too late to start!
Glossary
Inactivity: Lack of, or no activity
Aging: Growing old
Acute: Extreme or too much
istock.com
A workout a day, keeps the doctor away
In strength training, your muscles use a force
against some type of resistance. It does not
matter what the resistance is - your muscles,
connective tissue or sinews, and bones will
get stronger. Exercise with a simple weight
is perfect for persons over fifty who want a
simple, safe, effective, and inexpensive way
to train at home. We suggest that bottles
filled with water can be used as weights. It is
recommended that you do strength training for
30 minutes, not less than twice a week.
istock.com
Many fitness experts advise that older women
do resistance exercises. These exercises build
strength. Increasing your strength will improve
muscle tone, slow down loss of - even improve
- bone density and increase your metabolism.
Strength training of stomach, hip and thigh
muscles can also help to decrease back pain,
reduce stiffness and discomfort in the joints,
and help prevent or manage some diabetic
symptoms. During times of acute back pain,
stop difficult exercise, but get up and move
around. Long bed rest and inactivity will delay
your recovery.
istock.com
Exercise can help you keep and even bring
back functionality in these important areas.
Oranges help fight
cancer: A recent
study of more than
69,000
women
found that those
who ate several
servings a day of
citrus had a 10%
lower risk of stroke than women who ate
less of the juicy fruits. All citrus fruits contain
fiber, which helps you feel full longer. That’s
also why it’s better to eat the fruit itself (an
orange, for example) rather than just drink
fruit juice.
Tomatoes
are
good for your skin:
Tomatoes, mostly
cooked
ones-are
a great source of
lycopene. Lycopene
helps
defend
against sun damage and wrinkles-and might
even help both prevent and treat skin
cancer, according to the American Cancer
Society. Other healthy sources of lycopene
include watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya
and red bell peppers.
A ‘bad’ food that
is actually good
for you: When
done right, pizza
can pack a load
of
nutrients—
especially
when
you make it yourself in your own kitchen. To
give pizza a makeover, use a whole-wheat
crust; top your pizza with a bit of sauce,
then load it up with sliced veggies like
peppers, mushrooms and broccoli, some
low-fat cheese and your favorite fresh or
dried herbs.
July 2012
N A M I B I A
21
FEMINIST FORUM
No woman is an Island
Building support circles for women
in our communities and starting
revolutions of change
By Laura Hallikas and Mimi Mwiya
V
iolence against women affects the lives of a majority of Namibians. Women and children are
especially victims of rape, sexual abuse and all kinds of domestic violence. In too many families
and partnerships men dominate women and control their lives with the threat of violence. Too
many women are suffering alone, not speaking about their experience even to other women. This may
perhaps be the biggest battle women have to fight, the battle of isolation and of having to suffer in
silence for fear of losing their lives.
On Saturday, 9thof June, as feminist students from the University of Namibia, we initiated a women’s
meeting at the Jacob Marengo Secondary school. We were ten women, Namibians, foreigners, students,
housewives and working women alike. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform for women
from all walks of life to freely talk about the issues that bother us most in our society. To form some sort
of support system for women who feel there is a lack of one and want to do something about it.
What we learned from the meeting was that violence against women is a universal problem, and most
women have the same battle to fight. Why then, if the battle is the same, should we fight in isolation?
We should help each other to be strong enough to speak out or fight back when we face violence.
We should be there to encourage one another. It is important in this kind of difficult situation to have
someone who understands what you’ve been through. The culture of silence cannot be broken by one
person alone. Lives continue to be lost and rights continue to be violated, thus there’s an outcry for
women to unite and fight together.
And it’s not only women who are willing to fight this battle. When we told three young men about the
meeting, they were very supportive of the idea. “The violence and rape and all must stop. Because
not all men are violent. Next time you have a meeting, we also want to come.” This discussion gave us
courage. The majority of people, both women and men, are willing to stop the culture of violence.
We need more women’s support groups where we can share our experiences and help each other to
solve the problems. That is something we can all contribute towards. But our government also needs to
act. More social workers are needed, because we don’t all live near people we can really trust. There
is also a strong need for safe havens or shelters to be created for women in our society. They should be
places women can run to without fear or shame, without feeling that the perpetrator is being protected
instead. All these things we must demand from our political parties and our local politicians. There are
many ways of contacting them, but again the most important thing is to say it out loud.
We think this small meeting was a good start for the atmosphere of sharing and talking about our
experiences. We want to encourage all women in Namibia to do the same: Invite women and other
people who are concerned about rape and abuse together and just talk. It does not take more than
little bit of airtime, but it can give a lot! Like one of us said in the meeting,”Alone we can’t do anything.
But together we can make a change.”
Of course one meeting alone will not address all of the social evils we face, and change will not happen
overnight. But after all, all it takes to start the change is just that one step. If at least ten women are
willing to stand up and raise their voices, ten more may get the strength to do the same, someone may
get the strength to leave an abusive relationship, someone may get the strength to report a rape. And
that is how revolutions are started, that is how true change is achieved!
22
N A M I B I A
July 2012
Loving myself true
FEMINIST FORUM
W
hen I was five I learned to read. Books were a miracle to me.
White pages, black ink, new worlds and different friends in
each one. To this day I relish the feeling of opening a new
binding for the first time, the anticipation of where I will go and whom I
will meet inside.
When I was eight I learned to ride a bicycle. And this too, opened my
eyes to a new world that I could explore on my own. Over the street
from where I lived, aunties sold iceblocks, colorful sweets and many
delights. I wonder today where they went.My best friend’s house had a
rosy smelling sort of tree in the yard. Sometime in autumn the leaves
used to fall to the ground. We would pick them and plant them in our
hair, very much sure that we looked like little daisies.
When I was 12 I learned that I was a lot more different than all the
other girls. Dolls and makeup were alien to me. I played with cars. I Ran
around all day with boys with my shirt tucked in my shorts. ‘Look at me
run daddy!’ I would say. Stop being feisty he would say. Leave the boys
to do the loud stuff. You will not find a man to marry you he would say.
I learned that there would be women that will love me, and there would
be people that would respect me. I learned that society would teach me
how to diet and of course how to cheat on diets. I learned how to feel
miserable and ashamed, how to cringe away from peoples glances, how
to tense myself for the fights that I thought were coming. The society I
live in has a way of making one a soldier. But I am no different from the
person on the street, only I’m a woman and a lesbian and that has been
a battle for me.
Along the way I learned a dozen tricks on making myself invisible. How
to keep a towel wrapped around my midsection at the beach but never
swim. What will people say?
A lot has changed since then. These days I go out into the world in a suit
of invisible armor, fully expecting to be shot at, but determined that I
would not get shot down. I am going to be whoever I want to be. Live
wherever I see fit, love whoever loves me back because there is comfort
in love. Comfort in reaching out to people, asking for help and realizing
that am valued, treasured. The truth is I’m alright the way I am. I was
alright all along. I might not do everything I dream of doing, but I’m
happy. I will love my body for what it can do-because it is good enough
to lift, to walk, to ride a bicycle up a hill, to embrace the people I love
and hold them fully, and to perhaps one day nurture a new life.
123rf.com
I will savor the taste of being young. I will savor my life. Most importantly
I will love without stopping to ask whether that person deserves it. I am
beautiful, I am happy, secure and I have and will find friends and success
and even if my life does not have a Hollywood perfect happy ending I
will stand steady in my pursuit to loving myself true!
By Limba Mupetami
July 2012
N A M I B I A
23
ONGA RAMUINYO
OTJIṊA TJOVAKAZONA OOVANGU NOMARUMBI!
Okupamisa ekwamo pokati kovakazona oovangu nomarumbi ohepero. Seuaa, Umbi na Patty Karuaihe va serekarere
ohunga norusuvero, omuinyo, okukura nokurira oovangu nomarumbi.
Ovo mave tja komoo toorora eṱunḓu roye, nungwari ouṋingandu omapanga wetu tu yenena okutoorora. Ovandu
tjiva ovaṋingandu orondu ngunda ave ri oveṱunḓu rimwe nao ve rira omapanga wina. Vemwe mbe ri nao ovakazona
va Karuaihe oovangu nomarumbi imba ooSeuaa, Umbi na Patty. Ovo va za meṱunḓu rovandu ovengi ovakazona
hambombari novazandu vane, nu otji ve nekwamo epame rouzapamwe ndi mave tjiwa oveni otjovangu nomarumbi.
Sheena Magenya wa hakaena ku na vo aveetatu, ooSeuaa (S), Umbi (U) na Patty (P) nu e ve kundu ohunga nokurira
ovakazona oovangu nomarumbi nokutja ongwaye tje ri ohepero okukara nekwamo epame rouzapamwe.
Ekwamo reṋu epame rouzapamwe otjovangu
nomarumbi enahepero pu pe ṱa pi? Mwe kura
vi otjovanatje hambombari, oviwa novivi?
Umbi: (a yoro) Seuaa, uta.
Seuaa: Me munu kutja, tji wa tara komaṱunḓu ngu tu
muna ‘aruhe’, nge novanatje vetatu, pe novikaṋena
mbya zikamisiwa vyomuatje ngwi otjiveri, outjavari na ingwi ongero. Nambano mena rokutja ami
owami omuatje outjahambondatu, mbi kumwa kutja mba pwire okukara novikaṋena viṋe otjomuatje
outjahambondatu. Momaṱunḓu wovandu ovengi,
mu kura moumbumba ouṱiṱi womapanga – ngatu
tje imba ovetatu ovatenga ovapamwe, ve nyanda
pamwe nu otjingetjo ku varwe vetatu mbu mave
kongorere mbo.
U: Ovo ozondekurona zemwe, orondu nao pe kara
ozondekurona pekepeke meṱunḓu rimwe, tjimuna
Seuaa tji ma heye.
S: Komaandero weyuva, ngunda pe kara ekwamo
rouzapamwe ku na indi eṱunḓu arihe. Ove ko toorora eṱunḓu roye okutja u sokuvesuvera avehe; nu
kutja u suvere eṱunḓu enene nao kutja mu hupe
pamwe otjotjimbumba otjinene nao, u sokurihonga
okuvesuvera.
U: Nu wina u rihonga okuyandja nokuhaṋasana
orondu tjandje mo tjiwa kutja kaove erike. Nu kaari
eṱe imba omurongo na umwe (11) porwavo, mama
wina we kurisa ovanatje varwe, nu eṱe opu twe
rihongera okutara omuano warwe kovandu pekepeke, na kweṱe oveni.
S: Namabano otjiṋa hi tja kakatera kweṱe
Patty: Ami owami ngu mbi ri ongero yovakazona,
nu owami outja 10 morutanga, ami otji mba ri
omuṋingandu orondu otja ngu mba ri omuṱiṱi ee
munu orusuvero rwovanatje imba ovarwe, tjinene
Umbi na Seuaa.
Rukuru, nangarire nai wina, ovandu ve vara
ovanatje imba ovazandu komeho waimba
ovakazona, otjiṋa hi tjokutja ovakazona
omba ri 7 novazandu 4 aatji rundurura vi
omavarero nga? Ovazandu ngunda omba suvererwe povakazona?
S: Kako… (Umbi a hitire mbo)
U: Ii ovazandu omba suvererwe povakazona. Tate
aa karere kokaṱena kwandje Paul, mena rokutja
eye wa ri omuṱiṱi nu omuzandu. Nu nangarire Fonnie, omuzandu otjiveri wamama aa varwa otjotjiuru
24
N A M I B I A
July 2012
tjonganda nangarire kutja ponganda pa ri ovakazona ovanene pu ye. Imbwo oouatjiri ozoperesende
esere.
S: Mo munu, pe ri nao mombazu, posi yokutja ami
mba ri omuingona ku tate komeho waimba ovazandu, nu tji wa pura epuriro ndo ami opu mba zu okutja kako tjimanga. Nungwari mo sokuripurirako kutja
eṱe twa ri ovakazona hambombari ovapikapike nu
rumwe aatu uru tate – ami kee munu kutja tate wa
suvera ovazandu povakazona. Munda mbwi owarwe
Umbi wa ri omuingona ku mama.
U: Imbwi oukare ami mba ri omuatje wamama, posi
yokutja tate kaa ri nongarera, pendje na kongero
Paul, omuzandu. Parwe na parwe ovo kava ri
nongarera popengi.
Omekurisiro weṋu ya ṱuna vi kekwamo
reṋu roupamwe otjovakazona oovangu
nomarumbi?
U: Otja Ovaherero mbe kurira mokati kovandu mbe
hungira Otjiṱakume/Otjikwena, okutjiwa ozongaro
novitjitwa vyavarwe ngwi ngwa ṱuna kekwamo
retu roupamwe tjimuna komuano mbu tu hungira
kumwe. Tji matu tara kekwamo retu roupamwe, tu
kara kamwaha okuhungamasana ohunga notjiṋa
ngamwa atjihe tji matji tu kende nu mongaro
yOvaherero omundu ko i kerumbi roye o tja, ‘ami
hi nohange na ihi.’ Nungwari mena rokuhakaena
nozongaro pekepeke, tu yenena okuhungamasana
tji pe nomapitasaneno.
S: Tji matu hungire ohunga nongaro novitjitwa
vyomuhoko ngatu tjiwe kutja oviṋa mbi hupa,
nungwari ombazu oonḓengu yetu nozongamburiro
zetu otjovandu. Nu ami mbi kambura mombazu
yOvaherero, posi yokutja mbi kambura mozongaro
novitjitwa vyomuhoko omingi pekepeke wina.
Ovanene vetu aave tu raere kutja ngatu karire
ovakwatera vouye mouparanga wawo, ngatu
kambure mweṱe oveni na mozongaro nonḓengu
yetu. Otjoovangu nomarumbi, tu rimuna otja
ovandu mbu tu ṱa pamwe, kape notjirondero
kutja wokombanda eye ngwi wokehi eye ngwi. Nu
momuano mbu tu vanga okuvarasana otjoovangu
nomarumbi ombu tu vara ovandu varwe motjiwaṋa
atjihe mouparanga watjo.
Auhe weṋu epanga romukwao?
S: Tjinene
Ngamane Karuaihe-Upi
ONGA RAMUINYO
U: Nokuhina omakeyakeyero. Eṱe tjiri twa
suverasana nu tu itaverasana natu pitasana nu
aye ha rire omaandero wouye. Omarumbi wandje
avehe ovihorera kwami, nu oopovaṱena kwandje.
Tji mbi nouzeu mbi yenena okuyenda komarumbi
wandje nu ovo ave ndji vatere okuzengurura imbwi
ouzeu, tjandje vari mape zu ku imbwi ouzeu mbu
mbi na wo. Tjaatu kuru rumwe aatu tye kutja matu
i kotuveze kaaṋi hwo motjimbumba nu mama otjaa
tira, orondu rumwe tji pa kara oumba wotjihauto,
eye aa tira kutja ovanatje ve avehe mave koka. Nu
tu karerasana – omuhihamo ku umwe omuhihamo
waavehe! (a yoro)
S: Nai matu yandja okaperendero okawa keṱunḓu
retu, posi yokutja mu paratisa aruhe mu kara
omurore. Mbi nomarumbi wandje vevari mbu mbi
ha hungirisa nu mbu mba suvera tjinene, orondu pe
ya kutja tu panguke nu ami e zu ko. Ami mba suvera
omarumbi wandje nga ngaaruhe…
U: Ingo omasa ngu u hi na moo teya
S: Ii, komoo isa okusuvera omundu, nu omuhoko
omuhoko nangarire kutja ouvi poo ouzeu aruhe opu
mau kara. Ngahino eyuva rimwe tji mba kurupa tji
mba hara ozonḓi matu hangana, nungwari ngunda
eyuva ndo ari hi ye ya, oviṋa mavi kara omuano
mbwi mbu vi ri nai.
U: Nangarire otjomunene komoo suvere ovanatje
voye pu pe ṱa tjinga ovo ave ha ṱu pamwe. Ove
we ve suvera avehe nungwari momiano pekepeke,
nu mena ranai tji mo ve hungire, u ve hungira
momiano pekepeke. Ovandu mba panguka ve hepa
okutjindwa pekepeke nu oopomuhoko ovangu,
omarumbi novaṱena kwoye.
P: Pe noviṋa vivari oviwa okukurira pu novangu,
omarumbi novaṱena ovengi. Okwo ku ku honga
okuungura ku novandu mba panguka mozongaro,
otja imba ove pu mo ungura nomuhoko woye
nokuvesuvera nangarire mokupanguka kwavo,
nu momuano otjingewo opu u rihonga okuungura
ku novandu vozongaro nḓu maze hitasana mouye
ouparanga. Eṱe twa ri ovaṋingandu okukara
novanene tjimuna mbu twa ri na vo.
U: Ovanene vetu kaku tja kava ri nouvi, va ri ovandu
uriri. Nungwari va ri nozongaro eṱe nḓu twa serere
okuriyamekako. Tjimuna okuungura otja komazeva
– komoo munu otjiṋa otjari, eṱe twa za momuhoko
omuungure nu ootjihorera tji twa kambura kovanene
vetu. Otja ku imba ovanene, eṱe twa ri novanene
omundu mbu mo yenene okutja ovoturoto poo
ovazerwa. Twa ri noruwano otjeṱunḓu nu rumwe
atu hungamasana nouye. Kamaatu sokuhaṋika
otjeṱunḓu.
Mena rekwamo epame rouzamumwe ndi
mu na ro ku nomarumbi weṋu nomuhoko –
ongaro yeṋu ku novandu varwe mouye i ri vi?
S: Ya nyangatara! (a yoro) Pe nomunda omuvi mena
rokutja eṱe twe kurira pamwe tjinene nu rumwe
omundu otji u zemba kutja u sokuuta oupanga
mbwa haṋika ku novandu varwe mouye ouparanga
mbwi.
U: Rumwe tji tu ri popati otji tu haama pamwe nu
ovandu otji vet u pura kutja ongwaye tji tu hi na
okuwana na ihi otjimbumba atjihe (a yoro)
P: Ami hi tjiwa kutja ihi otjiṋa otjiwa poo otjivi, posi
yokutja okukara novangu nomarumbi omengi u
vyara nu o ha paha omapanga warwe omengi. Mbi
muna kutja Seuaa ongu nomayovi womapanga, ami
hi na mapanga omengi. Oko ngwi okutja omapanga
omasembasemba ngu mo yenene okukara na wo
ovangu nomarumbi woye, ko tjivisa komurungu
woruveze okukeveryangera, nu aruhe ovo opu ve
ri kove.
July 2012
N A M I B I A
25
WOMEN AND THE WORLD
T
SAUDI WOMEN ALLOWED AT
he 2012 Summer Olympics could be a watershed event
for international sports as every participating nation is
expected to field at least one female athlete, including
three Muslim countries — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei
— that have previously sent only male competitors. While
female athletes from Qatar and Brunei have participated
in national and regional competitions, Saudi Arabia has
essentially barred sports for women, according to Human
Rights Watch.
A pan-Arab newspaper based in London, Al-Hayat, reported
in May that the Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz
has approved the participation of female athletes as long as
their sports “meet the standards of women’s decency and
don’t contradict Islamic laws.”
Human Rights Watch, which has accused the I.O.C. of
violating its own charter for equality by allowing Saudi
Arabia into the Games while discriminating against women,
said it could not confirm the Arab newspaper report. But an
official with the rights organization said he believed that at
least one Saudi female athlete would compete in London,
which he called a modest first step.
Christoph Wilcke, a senior researcher for Human Rights
Watch’s Middle Eastern and North African division was the
lead author of a blistering report issued by Human Rights
Watch that detailed the struggles facing female athletes
in Saudi Arabia. According to the report, Saudi officials
systematically discriminated against women, providing no
physical education for girls in state schools, closing gyms
for women in 2009 and 2010 and forcing them to play in
underground leagues.
Saudi Arabia has faced widespread criticism for its general
treatment of women, who must receive permission from
male guardians to gain employment, get an education, open
a bank account, get married and travel abroad. Effectively,
they are forbidden from driving cars.
Human Rights Watch has called on the I.O.C. to make Saudi
Arabia’s future Olympic participation dependent on a goodfaith effort to lessen discrimination against female athletes.
They requested that female Saudi athletes be allowed to
participate in the London Games; that women’s divisions
26
N A M I B I A
July 2012
WOMEN AND THE WORLD
T THE OLYMPICS
be opened in the Saudi Olympic Committee,
in its various sports organizations and in
sports clubs; that physical education for girls
be taught in schools; and that an outreach
programme be started to encourage women
to participate in sports.
Saudi Arabia is required to submit a list of
potential athletes to the I.O.C before they
are allowed to participate in the Olympics.
It is expected that – given their lack of
exposure and experience - listed athletes
may find it difficult to meet qualifying
standards. But the I.O.C. has long granted
participation under special conditions
to athletes from developing nations and
it is under significant pressure to make
accommodations for Saudi women in
London.
Human Rights Watch has suggested that a
female track athlete be among those named
to the Saudi Olympic team, given that she
could cover herself with a headscarf and
an unrevealing uniform as opposed, to
say, a swimmer. Experts feel that Saudi
Arabia’s sending a female athlete to London
could put pressure on other countries with
restrictions on women’s participation to do
likewise. However, female athletes in Saudi
Arabia could still face headwinds in getting
financing to compete.
Should Saudi Arabia also send female
officials to the Olympics, that, too, would
be “significant progress,” said Erika
George from S.J. Quinney College of Law
at the University of Utah. “That’s a power
position. Maybe not always a prominent
one, but that’s women making decisions
and I think that’s really going to challenge
perceptions.”
www.nytimes.com
FAST FACTS
Access To Safe water
20
seconds
A child dies from a
water-related illness all
over the world.
200
million
hours
Women spend a day
collecting water all over
the world.
11%
More girls attend school
when sanitation is
available.
780
million
People lack access to an
improved water source;
approximately one in
nine people.
3.41
million
People die from water,
sanitation and hygienerelated causes each year.
443
million
School days are lost
each year due to waterrelated illnesses.
1.5
million
Deaths each year are
caused by diarrhoea.
It kills more children
than malaria, AIDS, and
measles combined.
Source: www.water.org
July 2012
N A M I B I A
27
SISTER NAMIBIA RESOURCE CENTRE
S
ister Namibia houses a resource centre that has a variety of books and
materials on women’s rights’ issues, sexuality, gender, violence as well
as fiction and non-fiction novels available for lending to the public. To
become a member bring along your ID or Student Card and a N$ 20 annual
membership fee for students and the unemployed, and N$ 30 for other members of the public.
The resource centre is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from
14h00 to 17h00. Below are some of our new arrivals, donated by BOOK AID
INTERNATIONAL.
THE WORLD’S WIFE by Carol Ann Duffy
Macmillan Publishers Limited (2011)
The World’s Wife is a hilarious and thought provoking collection of poetry
by Carol Ann Duffy. She looks at prominent male figures in history
and tries to tell their ‘wives’ stories through her poetry. Katherine Viner
from the Guardian says “The World’s Wife is a joyous, exuberant book
of poems about women usually excluded from myth and history: wives
such as Mrs. Pilate, Mrs. Aesop, Mrs. Darwin, Mrs. Faust, Frau Freud,
Mrs. Quasimodo; women usually defined by their men. “ A wonderful read!
SEX, LOVE & HOMOPHOBIA by Vanessa Baird
Amnesty International (2004)
Archbishop Desmond Tutu says about Sex, Love & Homophobia in the
forward-“…For me this struggle is a seamless rope. Opposing apartheid
was a matter of justice. Opposing discrimination against women is a matter
of justice. Opposing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a
matter of justice. It is also a matter of love. Every human being is precious.
We are all part of God’s family. We must all be allowed to love each
other with honour…In Sex, Love & Homophobia you will read about those
who wish to love one another as an expression of their everyday lives,
just like anyone, anywhere…this important book brings together those
voices, these diverse ends of the rainbow, because we are all one people.”
AFRICA’S INFORMAL WORKERS-Edited by Ilda Lindell
Zed Books (2010)
Africa’s Informal Workers is a vigorous examination of the informalization
and casualization of work, which is changing livelihoods in Africa and
beyond. Gathering cases from nine countries and cities across subSaharan Africa, and from a range of sectors, this volume goes beyond
the usual focus on household ‘coping strategies’ and individual agency,
addressing the growing number of collective organizations through
which informal workers make themselves visible and articulate their
demands and interests. The emerging picture is that of a highly
diverse landscape or organized actors, providing grounds for tension
but also opportunities for alliance. The collection examines attempts at
organizing across the formal-informal work spheres, and explores the
novel trend of transnational organizing by informal workers. Africa’s
Informal Workers is a timely exploration of deep, ongoing economic,
political and social transformations.
28
N A M I B I A
July 2012
SISTER NAMIBIA RESOURCE CENTRE
Namibia is a land of contrasts
like no other on the African
continent.
Hugh Ellis’ poetry and
accompanying photography
brilliantly capture these
contrasts, and how they manage
to co-exist, juxtaposed, but
together. Yet his poetry has
resonance with the wider world,
that someone in any other
country will find meaning in
his words, and take ownership
of his experiences. Heart
wrenching and hopeful at
the same time Hakahana is a
collection to take along
on a journey, to read at home
on a lazy Sunday, or any other
place, at any other time.
-Sheena Magenya,
freelance journalist
Hugh Ellis is a powerful writer who understands the art
of telling poignant stories through poetry. All his pieces
are beautifully written with every stanza carefully selected,
each word carefully weaved alongside each other.
Having made his mark on the Spoken Word performance
poetry stage as far back as 2005, as a fellow Spoken Word
poet and committee member I have been very fortunate
to witness Hugh’s growth as a poet and writer. It’s very
exciting to see his best work finally being published.
- Oshosheni Hiveluah, film-maker and poet
DANTE INTERNATIONAL
Sharon Kasanda
BULLIES, BEASTS AND BEAUTIES
Issabella Morris and Sylvia Schlettwein
HAKAHANA
Hugh Ellis
In this intense, sexy novel by
Sharon Kasanda, Windhoek is the
setting for some deadly crimes. An
ex cop trying to redeem himself, a
thwarted lover and a serial killer on
the loose.
What Sharon says about why
women should write:
This collection of stories cover a
range of topics and characters from
all walks of life. The stories are a
rich read, full of drama, malice and
pathos. Each story is self-contained
and perfect to be read as a single
vignette.
What Sylvia thinks about why
women should write:
In this collection of poems and
photography, Hugh Ellis explores
Namibia as the land of contrasts
that it is. With thought provoking
pieces on race and poverty,
HAKANA makes for an interesting
read for anyone inside and outside
Namibia.
What Hugh thinks about the power
of poetry:
“I think women have so many
stories to tell but we don’t know
how to tell them. I was really afraid
of what people would think of me
as a woman and especially a fear
of people looking at me differently
because our culture teaches us to be
a certain type of woman: but when
you write your thoughts down, they
don’t just stay with you, but with
whoever reads them, so you become
a different person and you learn
more about yourself that way.”
“Because we have something to say
and share, and what we’ve got to
share in the writers case- is the story
we have to tell and the relationships
we build. How we sometimes heal
the world as women...(while making)
little cracks appear.”
“Writers show but they don’t tell,
and I think poetry at its best does the
same thing. That’s how you influence
someone, through their emotions,
rather than coming out with your 10or -20- points statement- to change
hardened attitudes and perhaps to
begin to change culture as well”.
WIN WITH WORDWEAVER!
Sister Namibia is giving away one free copy of all
three new books courtesy of Wordweaver Publishing
to a lucky reader! To stand a chance of winning, send
an SMS to the number 0818 357065 with the key word
‘Wordweaver’ and let us know why it is important for
people to write down their stories. Standard rates apply
accross all networks.
Get texting!
July2012
N A M I B I A
29
NEWSCLIPPINGS
Film “Invisible War” Reveals
Epidemic of Rape in U.S. Military
G
raphic online photographs of seven
month-pregnant Feng Jiamei lying
prostrate on a hospital bed next to a
bloody foetus have created outrage in
China over the brutal enforcement of
the controversial one-child-policy. The
husband of the woman whose forced
late-term abortion caused uproar
worldwide has gone missing, according
to his family.
Earlier this month Feng was given a stark
choice by local officials: pay a 40,000RMB
(6,200 dollars) fine or have an abortion
on her second pregnancy, then in its
seventh term. When unable to meet the
fine, officials dragged Feng to a hospital
while her husband was away. There they
beat her, blindfolded her, and forced
her to sign a “consent” form before
administrating a lethal injection into her
stomach. On June 4 Feng gave birth to a
still-born baby girl.
Feng and Deng originally believed their
second child was legal since couples
whose first child is a girl in rural areas
are routinely allowed to have a second
one. But Feng’s hukou (household
registration document) was registered in
Inner Mongolia, not Shaanxi, rendering
the privilege void.
www.ipsnews.net
mediaboymusings.blogspot.com
ewtnnews.com
China’s One-Child Policy rejects
girls
T
he US military is facing one of its
biggest scandals, depicted in “Invisible
War”, Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering’s latest
documentary. The movie collects the
stories of women – and men – who, along
with many others, became victims of
sexual abuse while serving their country
and now face post-traumatic stress
disorder. The statistics are staggering:
more than 20 percent of female veterans
have been sexually assaulted during their
service. In fact, a female soldier is more
likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than
killed in enemy fire. The lack of response
is often as traumatising for the victims
as the abuse itself. Most victims do not
report the rape in fear of retaliation, and
when they do, their attacker is unlikely to
be punished. “Invisible War” won several
awards, including the Audience Award
at Sundance, and is part of the Human
Rights Film Festival which took place in
New York.
www.ipsnews.net
30
N A M I B I A
July 2012
stopstreetharassment.org
Women Targeted in Tahrir Square N
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I
t is becoming increasingly uncomfortable
to be female or foreign in Cairo’s Tahrir
Square, birthplace of the January 2011
Egyptian revolution.
A wave of sexual assaults against female
protestors and foreign female journalists by
mobs of men, some armed with sticks and
belts, has taken place in the last few weeks
in broad public view. Several veiled Muslim
women had their hijabs pulled off and were
sexually molested. The men involved tried to
remove more clothing.
Aggravating this volatile situation has
been an advertisement on Egyptian state
TV warning Egyptians against talking to
foreigners, saying they are probably spies
working for foreign intelligence agencies.
Only after the ad was heavily attacked and
ridiculed was it pulled. A group of about 100
women and their male supporters, protesting
the ongoing sexual harrassment of female
protestors in Tahrir Square was attacked by
a large group of men.
The men threw stones and bottles at the
women, and at a number of men who
had come to protect the women. Several
gunshots were heard. The protest was
organised on Twitter and Facebook by
protestors with the support of civil society
groups.
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HOME PAGE
NAWAZONE
Sister Namibia clocks 9 Sexual Reproductive Health and
Right’s Workshops, and tickles their funny bone!
I
t’s been a busy seven months at Sister Namibia. On Saturday 7th July, we held our 9th Sexual
Reproductive Health and Right’s (SRHR) Workshop in 11 months. The primary purpose of the workshops
is to share information with different groups of people all over Windhoek, and Namibia on what their
constitutionally protected sexual rights are, and to give information on sex, sexuality, contraception and
related issues. The workshops have been especially enlightening and a lot of the feedback we received
was positive. The participants enjoyed the workshops as much as we enjoyed facilitating them.
On Thursday 5th July, Free Your Mind Entertainment celebrated its fouth birthday by holding a Queens
of Comedy show. It featured all female comedians, and female acts and performances. The Playhouse
Theatre was packed to the rafters and the comediennes and acts exceeded any expectations. This is the
second year that Free Your Mind is hosting an all female event, but the first year that they had Sister
Namibia on board as a co-sponsor of the event. Sister Namibia looks forward to future collaborations
with Free Your Mind. Look out for more information on the show in the next edition of Sister Namibia. Last
but not least, earlier in the year Sister Namibia hosted a Feminist Forum on Women’s Image in Advertising.
We screened Jean Kilbourne’s documentary Killing Us Softly, and held a group discussion. The turnout was
great and the participation of both women and men was encouraging. On 1st August, Sister Namibia, in
collaboration with the Polytechnic of Namibia will screen the same documentary and hold another Feminist
Forum under the same topic. Many participants indicated interest in having the documentary screened at
schools, and tertiary institutions. We would love to host more Feminist Forums.
Please check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SisterNamibia for regular updates on upcoming
activities that Sister Namibia will be hosting.
32
N A M I B I A
July2012
FROM OUR READERS
In the last edition of Sister Namibia magazine we published two articles, A Roadmap On The Pitfalls Of
The Mother And Son Relationship, as well as the article on Fathers Or Sperm-Donors? A reader shared the
following persepective on the two articles. (The letter has been shortened for purposes of space. SMS us
your thoughts.) “My eye first caught the article on Mothers and Sons. As a single mother, I was obviously drawn to the write
up. As I started reading I found myself very uncomfortable. The article makes reference to a number
of ‘types’ of relationships between mother and son, including the ‘Mommy’s Boy’ and the ‘Little Mr. Big
Man’ who essentially needs to take the place of daddy who is not there. I asked myself, so what about
the mother and son relationship where the boy is balanced, strong, respectful and grows up to be an
exemplary young man, gentlemen, boyfriend, friend, husband and father? I would have loved to see some
examples of the good stereotypes, like the balanced young man who respects women and treats them like
he would treat his own mother. Of the little boy who learns how to love from his mother, who grows up to
be a nurturer, an understanding human being, a balanced human being who makes a positive contribution
to society. Where young men will not make their mark on women through violence, passion killings and
other horrible examples of how little respect there exists for the human life, especially that of a woman? As a single mother, raising a son, I am intent on giving it my best, with or without the presence of a
positive male role model. I refuse to believe that the result of raising a boy alone can only amount to the
complicated relationship stereotypes taken up in the article. There is far too much information available
for us to only have access to the negative, a woman can raise a son to be a good man!
Then, my eyes moved to the Brother Namibia page and it called me too. I may be a single mother raising
a son, but I could never, ever blame his father for making me pregnant! It always takes two to tango and
as much as I am vehement that men should stop saying they got trapped by a pregnancy (they chose to
have unprotected sex too, they chose to trust blindly too, they CHOSE, period), I must be just as vehement
about our own responsibilities as women. There are absent fathers, there are sperm donors, there are
progenitors. Yes, all of this is true, but there are also men who actively play a role in their children’s lives,
even without being in a relationship with the child’s mother. I believe that if you are old enough to make
a child, you are old enough to take care of it. I live the example of an excellent relationship with my son’s
father, who contributes to his wellbeing on many levels, including financially. I have dated men who raise
their children singlehandedly. I have male friends who I see with their children, spending time even when
they no longer have a relationship with the mother. If you ask me if there are good men out there – the
woman in me may beg to differ, if you ask me for examples of good fathers out there – the mother in me
will sketch many examples. Yes, most parenting relationships are less than perfect, with much room for
improvement, but there are good, present fathers in Namibian society, it’s not all absent father or sperm
donor. These are just some of my thoughts – maybe the essence for both articles, was to create awareness for the
majority of cases that exist, nevertheless, I believe a more balanced view would go a long way to forging
better relationships. I have heard it said to speak of what you are for, not what you are against.”
Kind regards.
Single mom, raising a respectful, responsible, well-balanced, loving young man.
SMS your say and stand a chance to win!!!
We love to hear from our Sister Namibia readers! SMS or email us your
feedback-whether good or bad to us at 0818357065 or media@sisternamibia.org. You can also LIKE us on Facebook, and post your comments
about our magazine. One lucky respondent stands the chance of winning
a prize after every issue. Get texting!
July 2012
N A M I B I A
33
TODAY THE ISSUE IS...
Today the issue is....
Nothing but hos, bitches, sluts and cheats?
S
ince the publication of our May issue,
newspaper headlines were ablaze with
stories of senseless acts of violence against
women. There was the cold-hearted murder of a
young woman at the hands of her former lover.
Other acts reported included the premeditated and
ruthless murder of a mother by her own son, the
gang-rape of a woman near Outjo. In Rundu the
respective stabbing of an 84-year-old woman and
pouring boiling cooking oil over another, the rape
of an albino girl in Oshakati, a father attacking his
own daughter viciously with a panga because she
reported him to the police for attempting to rape
her in Oshakati, a two-time minister kicking and
beating of young woman at Khoichas, a traditional
headman raping his minor charges. The list is too
shameful and long to continue...
Every time we read or hear about the inhumane
brutalisation of yet another woman, we – in Sister
Namibia - throw our hands up and wonder what
kind of person would commit such acts. We wonder
whether the killers, the abusers, the perpetrators
are human for being able to even contemplating
such abject acts. And every time we come to the
sad conclusion that the people doing these things
are the sons, the brothers, the husbands, the fathers
of women just like us.
This begs the question why. How is it possible that
a person can commit such a deplorable act against
the very person (s) who he claims to be loving?
Who or what “allows” a man the “right” to kill a
woman because she cannot or does not reciprocate
his “love”? Who taught a man that a woman needs
to be beaten, raped, panga-ed? Are the women
themselves to be blamed for being punished? Is
it our culture and/or traditions that give men the
license to kill? Is it society?
We recently started looking at contemporary
or pop culture and the messages that we are
confronted with practically on a daily basis.
Although we – perhaps on an unconscious level already were aware of this, we were shocked by
the amount of out-right hate speech and messages
that we are flooded with every day. Boys and
young men are taught to hate their mothers, slap
their bitches, kill their sluts and silent their cheats;
By Laura Sasman
Eminem, for example, in his song “Kill You” threatens
“slut, you think I won’ t choke no whore till the vocal
chords in her throat don’t work no more.” He goes
on with “put your hands down bitch, I aint gon shoot
you, I’ma pull you to this bullet and put it through
you.”
Yes, Eminem is American. Yes he is a gangsta rapper
and how does this affect us? Well, it affects us in
as much as we are part of a global village where
we are heavily impressed and influenced by the
bling- and gangsta hiphop culture that Eminem
represents. Through our local annual music awards,
we award and lavish praise on the local kwaito
prophets of bling culture who then go home and
“show their bitches.” We not only condone, we hotly
aspire to be part of and emulate this culture where
(young) men are pimps and (young) women are
their prostitutes. In their videos, our male kwaito and
rap male “artists” and stars become the pimps and
our female “artists” and dancers remain their sluts.
This – more than anything else – is what gives street
credibility.
Can we then blame a young, impressionable person
(female or male), coming from the village for
believing that in order to be successful and modern
urban, that you have to embrace this hate culture
and lifestyle?
We live in a global culture where women are
vilified: We are nothing but bitches, hos, sluts and
cheats.
This, of course, is nothing new. Women have been
subjected to abuse and have been objectified
by most cultures throughout humanity. What is
new, is the global reach of pure hatred through a
contemporary art form that kids between the ages
8 to 25, in the words of our very own Groot Hond,
globally consider to represent “the good life.”
This culture desensitises boys and girls to the true
horror and full extent of the hatred and misogyny
that the gangsta culture promotes. This insidious
aggro-chauvinistic culture is what gives men the
right to abuse, mutilate and maim, eventually kill a
woman. It is time for all concerned persons to create
an equally all-evasive contemporary counter culture
that promotes respect and dignity not only for
women, but for all humanity.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! SEND US YOUR PERSONAL STORIES, TRUE OR CREATIVE AND WRITTEN IN ANY LOCAL LANGUAGE.
FOR EVERY EDITION, SISTER NAMIBIA WILL SELECT TWO STORIES FOR PUBLICATION. THE STORIES SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN 600
WORDS, AND REMEBER TO INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING YOUR STORIES!
34
N A M I B I A
July 2012
COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
...Christian Counselling and Training
Mood swings, Anger, Depression, Eating
Disorders, HIV and Aids, Relationship
Issues, Bereavement, Abuse, Anxiety,
Rape, Substance Abuse ...
You don’t have to keep quiet and suffer in
silence! Talk to someone TODAY. Someone is
waiting to listen to YOU without JUDGEMENT.
Confidentiality is assured.
Womens’s
Solidarity
Namibia
We act together to stop violence
Peace building is our mission
Women’s Solidarity Namibia believes in a
holistic approach that is based on human
rights and equality, recognizes diversity and
guarantees all people access to essential
resources.
We are a feminist organisation and believe
in speaking out against violence and
discrimination against women and children
in our communities, at schools and at
workplaces
Our goal is to eradicate violence from all
spheres of Namibian life.
Contact information: Women’s Solidarity
Namibia
P O Box 7378, Katutura, Windhoek, Namibia
Tel/Fax: (061) 260924, Email: womensol@
iway.na
For more information call or visit us
Tel: 061-259291
Cell: 081 231 3028 or 081 127 7361
Email:counselling@philippinamibia.com
Website: www. philippinamibia.com
Physical Address: off Ara Street, Dorado Park,
Windhoek (road between NETS and Channel 7)
LIFELINE/CHILDLINE
Do you or someone you
know need counseling?
Contact Lifeline/Childline for the
following services:
National Crisis Counseling Telephone Line
Offers immediate counseling , onward referral
and follow-p face to face counseling by
appointment
Staffed by lay counselors from 8am to 10pm, 365 days per
year
Tel: 061-23 22 21
National SMS Line
Offers delayed counseling, onward referral and follow-p
face to face counseling by appointment
SMS a brief message and a counselor will call you back
within 24 hours
Tel: 0811 400 222
Face to Face Counseling by
appointment, Windhoek
Offered free of charge at our Windhoek Office
in Bismarck Street
Mainly for those who cannot access counseling
through medical aid
Tel: 061-23 22 21
Drop-in Counseling, Kavango and
North Central Namibia
Offered free of charge by lay counselors at the following
counseling points, on weekdays:
Rundu (LL/CL office), Nkurenkuru (Hospital), Ondobe
(Clinic), Onankali (Clinic), Ongwediva (MPC), Ondangwa
(LLC/CL office, Oluno Clinic) Eenhana (MPC)
For more information phone
North Central: 065-24 62 52
Kavango: 066-25 66 63