Vol. 24#2
Transcription
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: [email protected] or [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 A M I B I A SUBSCRIPTION FORM SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR 1 YEAR (4 ISSUES) Namibia������������������������������������������������������������� N$120.00 Students and Unemployed (Namibia only)�������� N$60.00 Elsewhere in Africa�������������������������������������������� US$20.00 Rest of the World����������������������������������������������� US$40.00 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. www.ipsnews.net DETAILS OF SUBSCRIBER Surname Name:����������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ Postal Address:������������������������������������������ Town/City:���������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ Country:������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������ Telephone:���������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ Email:�������������������������������������������������� METHODS OF PAYMENT Make a direct bank deposit of the subscription fees to the account details below: Sister Namibia Trust Bank Windhoek Account Number: 8002538992 Branch Number: 48271 Swift code: BWLINANX Please send proof of payment, along with this filled in subscription form to us at : P O Box 86753 Eros, Windhoek Or Fax: +264 61 236371 Or Email: [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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:[email protected] 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