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.
The next few slides have three ways on how you can actively play a role in creating a safer and more equal Namibia.
@theconfidente Apart from aggravating sexist social constructs, policing dressing also allows an environment in which survivors are blamed for the violence they experience.
To #EndRapeCulture, we need to stop shaming, especially women, for what they CHOOSE to wear.
@theconfidente Sex is sex, and rape is rape.
Language is important, and we need to do more to mitigate the ways in which we perpetuate harmful ideas on sex and sexual activity. #EndRapeCulture
@theconfidente For the purpose of this brief, the last way in which you can play an active role in the fight to #EndRapeCulture is to build an intolerance towards 'rape jokes'.
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
While we agree that we need to do more in order to fight the sexual violence that terrorizes our communities, we would be remiss to ignore the impact that the social media conversation, as well as #MeTooNamibia has had on our people.
Since inception in May, we have (co)-hosted four conferences on sexual violence, assisted various survivors in opening cases and receiving psychosocial support, convened an association of organisations willing and ready to assist more survivors 1/2
...and most importantly, started important conversations on sexual violence, consent, victim blaming and shaming, toxic masculinity and related matters. 2/2