Month: December 2023

KEETMANSHOOP: A 41-year-old man was arrested and is expected to appear in court at Bethanie after he allegedly raped a 38-year-old woman.

Namibian Police Force crime investigations coordinator for the ||Kharas Region, Deputy Commissioner Nikodemus Mbango in a crime incident report issued to Nampa on Sunday said the alleged rape happened on Friday around 22h00 and Saturday around 09h00 in the Riverside residential area at the village.

Mbango said it is alleged that the suspect assaulted the victim and dragged her by force to his residence and had sexual intercourse with her several times without consent.

‘The victim and the suspect had a romantic relationship according to the victim, but since separated the suspect claims that they are still in a relationship and claims that the sex was consensual,’ he added.

Meanwhile police at Keetmanshoop are yet to arrest a man that allegedly raped a 25-year-old woman.

It is alleged that the suspect and the victim were together at the suspect’s house and when the vict
im wanted to go home, the suspect locked the room and dragged her onto his bed and had sexual intercourse with the victim against her will.

Mbango said the alleged rape happened on Wednesday around 00h15 at Tseiblaagte residential area at the town.

Police investigations into both matters continue.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The Governor of the Khomas Region, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, has urged males in Namibia to take part in initiatives aimed at addressing behavioural issues and gender-based violence (GBV).

In her statement to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day on Sunday, McLeod-Katjirua encouraged the men to attend events like the men’s conferences recently held at Keetmanshoop and Ondangwa.

Over 1 000 men attended each of the two events organised by among others the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice, to discuss issues of suicide, mental health, and gender-related laws.

McLeod-Katjirua said the gathering created a safe space for men to share their experiences and discuss issues that affect them.

‘It is with this backdrop that I would like to encourage men to continue attending events of this nature that are aimed at addressing behavioural change and challenging the GBV landscape,’ McLeod-Katjirua said.

She said men and boys in Namibia also e
xperience GBV. ‘In our society, men are not exempt. They also experience gender-based violence, especially psychological violence, which is human rights violence.’

During the event held at the Old Location Cemetery in Windhoek, the governor noted that International Human Rights Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about human rights issues, promote human dignity and gender equality, and advance justice.

‘The commemoration of Human Rights Day calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to help end all forms of violence against women and girls,’ she said.

Human Rights Day on 10 December coincides with Namibia Women’s Day, which honours brave heroines who challenged forced removal by the South African colonial administration from Old Location to Katutura in 1959.

‘This day should prompt us to understand that Namibian women have a greater role to play in all spheres of life, be it political, educational, or socio-economic activities,
‘ McLeod-Katjirua said.

This year’s Human Rights Day was observed under the theme ‘Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All’.

‘This theme further calls on us to respect the dignity and freedom of all by ensuring that we do not tolerate any form of human rights violation and violation against children,’ said the governor.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: President Hage Geingob said progress has been made in gender equality, with Namibia recognised as a country that has done well in female representation in Parliament and leadership positions.

However, he said more should be done to eliminate the challenges that women continue to face in various aspects of life, including gender-based violence, unequal access to opportunities, and societal biases.

‘The Namibian Government remains committed to empowering women and the girl child, while also addressing the needs of the boy child, to end deeply rooted forms of discrimination that affect most of our vulnerable people,’ the president said in his statement to mark International Human Rights Day and Namibian Women’s Day on Sunday.

The Head of State joined Namibians and the international community in observing International Human Rights Day as well as Namibian Women’s Day on 10 December, which Namibia adopted to commemorate the contributions and achievements of women during the liberation struggle and in
modern Namibia.

‘This year’s event serves as a reminder of the bravery, resilience, strength, and leadership of Namibian women across sectors and generations.

‘We pay homage to the inspiring actions of fearless Namibian women who, in 1959, resisted the forced removal of people from the Old Location to Katutura by the South African apartheid regime.

‘On Namibian Women’s Day, we look back with profound memories on the remarkable journey of women, whose actions not only shaped a more just and inclusive Namibia but also inspired the current and future generations of Namibian women to reach new heights,’ the president said.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency