Gender-based violence is now an epidemic that is spreading like a wildfire in our nation. Until when are we going to fight? What are we fighting for? Our lives are fragile these days. We are officially a crying nation because our mothers, sisters, aunts, neighbours and friends are leaving us.
We are leaving one by one, each day, without any hint.
Our brothers… it is even safe to say that? We live in fear every day and we are crying inside because we are scared. No woman in our country is safe. We cannot trust our own spouses, lovers and even our own brothers.
Is this the Namibia we want to see? Without women? A woman – the protector, strength, hard worker and the one who loves unconditionally.
It is so heartbreaking to hear every day about us being killed; it is terrible. Men are executing us, not killing us. They are shooting us, slitting our throats and killing us with pangas mercilessly. Where is humanity heading to? What is happening? It is frightening, heartbreaking and most importantly, we live in fear.
Our women are leaving this world in the cruelest manner. This is an execution and the perpetrators are busy as we speak. It is so sad.
In my house, I am not safe. In my yard, I am not safe. In my own country, l am not safe. Where else is my safety at least 40% guaranteed? Death and rape are increasing even in an independent Namibia. We are fighting for our right to live. My body is important, but it is not respected. Our lives are supposed to be precious but they aren’t – it is in the hands of men. Our lives are determined by men.
We are fighting for our lives – our right since the day we were born. It is so sad. We need harsher punishments because we are not animals. We are humans who have dignity and a say in our lives. If we say no, it should be like that. We deserve respect and should be celebrated because without women, a nation is motherless. Namibia without us is nothing. We need to be respected and no one is doing justice for us right now.
Am l next? Is my sister next? My cousins or even my friends? These are the questions we have and those are answered by our perpetrators every single day.
Our lives matter. Our bodies matter. We are human and have people who love us. We have God who created us for a purpose. Gender-based violence and rape are real and are happening every single day. Let us live our lives, please. We are pleading because it is has to led to this. We are fighting.
Theo-Laide Gaomas is a second-year bachelor of public management student at the University of Namibia.
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