As an advocate for boys, I am deeply saddened and disheartened by the troubling news of nine boys, reportedly between the ages of 15 and 16, who are being accused of gang raping a woman (25) at Okahandja over the weekend.
When we hear of young boys being involved in such heartbreaking acts, we must look beyond the headlines and recognise a painful reality: Boys are crying out for our help.
This is not an excuse for the wrongdoing, nor does it lessen the suffering of the victim, who deserves our full sympathy and justice. It is rather a call for us to ask ourselves what is happening to our boys and what role we are playing in shaping their character.
A boy left without guidance, love, discipline, mentorship and positive role models can lose his way and become a danger to himself and others. We cannot afford to remain silent spectators while our sons are being shaped by the streets, social media, peer pressure and negative influences.
The time to act is now.
Let’s intentionally raise our boys with values, accountability, self-control, respect for women, compassion and the fear of God.
Let fathers be present, mothers be supported, churches be engaged, governments and schools be proactive and communities be invested in the development of our young men.
If we neglect our boys today, we will continue to mourn the consequences tomorrow. But if we guide them, mentor them and believe in them, we can raise a generation of men who protect rather than harm, who respect rather than violate and who lead with integrity and honour.
Namibia, boys are crying out for help.
May we hear that cry before it’s too late.
– Edison Uapingene
