Sexual violence against minors remains a grave concern and a harrowing crisis.
Apart from the increasing frequency, the brutality and complexity of the reported cases continues to leave many in shock.
Worse, first responders who hold problematic mindsets and beliefs continue to silence children survivors by blaming and ostracizing them.
It also does not help that professionals who deal with children are not adequately trained on the provisions of the Child Care and Protection Act, the Combating of Rape Act, as well as the Immoral Practices Amendment Act.
We must collectively do more and better in order to safeguard children from sexual violence, and to ensure that children survivors receive the psychosocial and/or legal support that they need.
#MeTooNamibia extends its arms to any child survivor who is in need of psychosocial and/or legal support.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
We've created a short brief on what rape culture is, and, most importantly, how each of us can help #EndRapeCulture in Namibia.
Please help us share these important notes! #MeTooNamibia
To #EndRapeCulture, we need to understand what it is, what causes it and the ways in which it manifests in our society.
These graphics help explain Rape Culture.
But, understanding Rape Culture may not always be enough for us to act.
Statistics from the Namibian Police (as published by @theconfidente) paint a horrifying [and yet, probably understated] image of the extent of SGBV in Namibia.
We hope that during the COVID-19 pandemic, each one of us is practicing sound hygiene in order to prevent and contain the spread of the virus, and to complement the government's efforts in averting a public health crisis.
Remember to wash your hands!
Since the virus is highly contagious, the containment of its spread requires us to maintain social distancing as far as we can.
Use this time to unlearn, relearn and re-energise your advocacy!
Although the virus has not been proven as "airborne", if you need to cough or sneeze, the practice pictured below is recommended.
The Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000 defines Rape as, "the intentional commission of a sexual act under coercive circumstances."
This means that any sexual act where coercion is applied before or during the act constitutes a charge of Rape.
Any sexual act in which results from the application of physical force constitutes a charge of rape.
For example, if you beat someone up in order to have sex with them, it is rape.
Any sexual act which results from a threat to use physical force constitutes a charge of rape.
For example, if you threaten to strangle someone in order to have sex with them, it is rape.
We've kicked off our #IWDMeetAndGreet at Furstenhof Hotel!
If you're not here, you can follow the discussions from our official hashtag.
Our Chairperson, Ms. Saima Akawa, welcomes attendees and gives an overview of the #MeTooNamibia Movement.
Ms. Akawa calls us to do more in creating a safer world for women. #IWDMeetAndGreet
Ms. Akawa speaks on our responsibility, individually, but collectively, towards ensuring that we create a gender equal world. #IWDMeetAndGreet
We hope you'll join us on the 14th March from 10AM at Protea Hotel Furstenhof at our Meet and Greet in commemoration of International Women's Day.
It's the perfect opportunity to share advocacy ideas over the fine tunes of The Ell's, the warm words of @SheCantGo and light snacks!
We will also have a panel discussion which will center around Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the work of anti-SGBV organisations and movements, and how we can all actively and intentionally create an equal and violence-free society for women.
Seats to this event are limited.
To RSVP, please e-mail hashikutuval@gmail.com