Anti-Violence Must Be Taught

THE Domestic Violence Act 2003, defines domestic ‘violence’ within the context of relationship mean engaging in any of the following acts or courses of conduct.

(A) Physical abuse; which include physical assault or any use of physical force against a person. Forcibly confining or detaining the person. Physically depriving the person of access to food, water, shelter or rest. Another act of violence is (B) Sexual abuse which includes conduct that abuses, humiliates or degrades or otherwise violates the sexual integrity of a person, exposing someone to sexual material, engaging in such contacts or conduct with another person with whom the person has emotional ties etcIn Namibia and elsewhere women and children continue to be victims of domestic violence. It is not that I am being biased towards males but one continues to hear, witness or read media reports about women who are gunned-down, hammered, tortured or even got burned in their houses mostly by their lovers, for reasons that are not worth taking someone’s life. Newborn babies are being raped and dumped like pieces of trash.It is seems as if nowadays ending someone’s life seems to be the only solution to solve a problem or a personal disagreement. Most youth don’t seem to find other alternative solution rather ending their own and another’s life. The question is why there is a high rate of domestic violence in Namibia? There are certain reasons why one would engage in such violent conducts! Being raised or growing up with abusive family members. The environment. Alcohol and drug abuse. Low self esteem. Heavy burden of responsibilities. A feeling of being neglected and denied etc.Since education is the key to success, I must say that the fact that the Ministry of Education is failing to teach about the Domestic Violence Act in schools or failing to give civic education makes things much worse. These are things that the Ministry could have included in the education system but totally failed to do so. There are few school-going children who know of the existence of the Namibian constitution. This is very bad for a republic like Namibia.Parents, traditional leaders, church leaders, play major roles in the society just like the Ministry. Most parents avoid discussing relationship issues with their children, some even regard such things as taboos that should not be talked in their homes. The time that parents should be talking with their children they spend instead on consuming alcohol and quarrelling, fighting and even ending up killing each other. So if parents start playing their roles as such and together with the Ministry, then we will minimise violence. Winnie MoongoMariental