WAD, partners to tackle root causes of domestic violence

DOMESTIC violence at the coast is on the rise.During the last six months, twice as many cases of domestic violence were reported at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay than during the same period last year.

This disturbing statement was made by the Executive Director of Women Action for Development (WAD), Veronica de Klerk, during the organisation’s Erongo Field Day in Arandis on Saturday. De Klerk identified poverty and violent crime against women and children as the two main enemies of Namibian development.The hardship caused by poverty affects all Namibians and will continue as long as children leave school before obtaining qualifications that could land them jobs, she said.Judging by the lack of remorse shown by men who rape and murder, there seems to be no escape for Namibian women and children from the vicious circle of violence against them, she added.”The scenario in Namibia is such that when a violent deed against women and children is committed, it is splashed in the media in a sensational manner.Thereafter the women march in protest against such a despicable deed.They present petitions to the appropriate authorities and call for immediate action and stiffer sentences …and that is where it ends – only to be confronted by the next violent deed …”In the search for concrete solutions, WAD and its National Women’s Voice has now entered a tri-lateral partnership with the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Ministry of Safety and Security to get to the root of the problem.”The best professionals at Unam will work with WAD on an important research project to determine the underlying causes of violent deeds against women and children in society.These include psychologists, researchers, social workers and sociologists to lend full credibility to the outcome of this research project,” De Klerk said.The researchers will seek permission from prison authorities to interview convicted rapists, murderers and molesters of women and children.The project is fully sponsored by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and is expected to be completed towards the end of October.The final report, which will include actual underlying causes of violence against women and children, conclusions and recommendations for remedial action, will be presented to President Pohamba, appropriate ministries and educational institutions.De Klerk predicts that the study will show that violence starts at home.”The parental home is where the seeds of disrespect for women are being planted,” she said.The occasion also served as the launch of the Erongo Women’s Voice.Seven members of the Arandis community were elected to serve on this committee.Certificates were also presented to 31 Arandis community members who were trained as instructors in the fields of computer literacy, needlework, baking, project and financial management as well as the establishment of savings clubs.De Klerk identified poverty and violent crime against women and children as the two main enemies of Namibian development.The hardship caused by poverty affects all Namibians and will continue as long as children leave school before obtaining qualifications that could land them jobs, she said.Judging by the lack of remorse shown by men who rape and murder, there seems to be no escape for Namibian women and children from the vicious circle of violence against them, she added.”The scenario in Namibia is such that when a violent deed against women and children is committed, it is splashed in the media in a sensational manner.Thereafter the women march in protest against such a despicable deed.They present petitions to the appropriate authorities and call for immediate action and stiffer sentences …and that is where it ends – only to be confronted by the next violent deed …”In the search for concrete solutions, WAD and its National Women’s Voice has now entered a tri-lateral partnership with the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Ministry of Safety and Security to get to the root of the problem.”The best professionals at Unam will work with WAD on an important research project to determine the underlying causes of violent deeds against women and children in society.These include psychologists, researchers, social workers and sociologists to lend full credibility to the outcome of this research project,” De Klerk said.The researchers will seek permission from prison authorities to interview convicted rapists, murderers and molesters of women and children.The project is fully sponsored by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and is expected to be completed towards the end of October.The final report, which will include actual underlying causes of violence against women and children, conclusions and recommendations for remedial action, will be presented to President Pohamba, appropriate ministries and educational institutions.De Klerk predicts that the study will show that violence starts at home.”The parental home is where the seeds of disrespect for women are being planted,” she said.The occasion also served as the launch of the Erongo Women’s Voice.Seven members of the Arandis community were elected to serve on this committee.Certificates were also presented to 31 Arandis community members who were trained as instructors in the fields of computer literacy, needlework, baking, project and financial management as well as the establishment of savings clubs.