NSHR rebukes WAD

THE National Society for Human Rights believes there is credence to some of the allegations raised by the National Union of Namibian Workers against Women’s Action for Development (WAD) and has called the non-governmental organisation to order.

NSHR executive director Phil ya Nangoloh wrote a letter to his counterpart at WAD, Veronica de Klerk, telling her that although WAD was a vibrant organisation, she needed to hear out staff members about some of the allegations instead of just shooting them down. “We wish to point out that, as civil society actors, we should not only concern ourselves with facts alone, but necessarily also with the perceptions, as a wrong perception about one NGO is not only damaging for the reputation of that specific organisation, but also to all civil society actors, including NSHR,” Ya Nangoloh said.WAD came under the fire recently because of its policy on unmarried mothers.Both the NUNW and the Swapo Youth League said such behaviour by an organisation representing women was unacceptable.Earlier, De Klerk said the policy was never implemented and no unmarried women working for WAD had been denied leave or a bonus because she fell pregnant.”We wish to point out that, as civil society actors, we should not only concern ourselves with facts alone, but necessarily also with the perceptions, as a wrong perception about one NGO is not only damaging for the reputation of that specific organisation, but also to all civil society actors, including NSHR,” Ya Nangoloh said.WAD came under the fire recently because of its policy on unmarried mothers.Both the NUNW and the Swapo Youth League said such behaviour by an organisation representing women was unacceptable.Earlier, De Klerk said the policy was never implemented and no unmarried women working for WAD had been denied leave or a bonus because she fell pregnant.