Women, children deserve better – Aupindi
Swapo member of parliament Tobie Aupindi says judging by Namibia’s laws for stock theft and gender-based-violence, it seems as if the nation has “a deeper love for our animals than our women and children”.
In support of the recently tabled Combatting the Rape Amendment Bill, Aupindi said if lawmakers were committed to protecting vulnerable women and children, they would have used the same energy used to punish stock thieves.
According to him, it is a concern that rape continues unabated despite the sentences imposed and it is clear that the community expects stiffer sentences for such crimes.
“Historically, it has been recorded that the number one cause to women’s injuries and mayhem is at the hands of men - not a lion, not a snake, but men. Records show that we [men] are the worst thing that ever happened to women.
“In Namibia, you can get a stiffer sentence for stealing a cow than for raping a woman. Within the relevant legislation called the Stock Theft Act, which was amended in 2004 to prescribe long jail terms, even for first-time offenders: Theft of livestock over the value of N$500 will attract a minimum of 20 years in jail, and a minimum of 30 years for repeat offenders without the option of a fine. “This can be characterised as a deeper love for our animals than our women and children,” he said.
Justice minister Yvonne Dausab this month pushed for longer sentences for rapists, with a minimum prison sentence of 10 years.
Between January and August 2021 alone, the Namibian police reported a staggering 690 rape cases.
Hold adults accountable
Member of Parliament Maria Elago, who is also in support of the bill, said the time has come to legally oblige adults to disclose child sexual abuse, especially professionals dealing with children in the course of their work.
“In addition to this, I call for a specialised unit. It is about time that we consider the placing of a legal obligation on persons who are charged with a duty of care over children to report sexual assault and sexual violence.
“In many cases where children are the victims of sexual assault, the perpetrator is known to them and many of these cases go unreported.
“Any person who fails to make the necessary report under this section will be considered to have committed a criminal offence, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both,” she said.
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In support of the recently tabled Combatting the Rape Amendment Bill, Aupindi said if lawmakers were committed to protecting vulnerable women and children, they would have used the same energy used to punish stock thieves.
According to him, it is a concern that rape continues unabated despite the sentences imposed and it is clear that the community expects stiffer sentences for such crimes.
“Historically, it has been recorded that the number one cause to women’s injuries and mayhem is at the hands of men - not a lion, not a snake, but men. Records show that we [men] are the worst thing that ever happened to women.
“In Namibia, you can get a stiffer sentence for stealing a cow than for raping a woman. Within the relevant legislation called the Stock Theft Act, which was amended in 2004 to prescribe long jail terms, even for first-time offenders: Theft of livestock over the value of N$500 will attract a minimum of 20 years in jail, and a minimum of 30 years for repeat offenders without the option of a fine. “This can be characterised as a deeper love for our animals than our women and children,” he said.
Justice minister Yvonne Dausab this month pushed for longer sentences for rapists, with a minimum prison sentence of 10 years.
Between January and August 2021 alone, the Namibian police reported a staggering 690 rape cases.
Hold adults accountable
Member of Parliament Maria Elago, who is also in support of the bill, said the time has come to legally oblige adults to disclose child sexual abuse, especially professionals dealing with children in the course of their work.
“In addition to this, I call for a specialised unit. It is about time that we consider the placing of a legal obligation on persons who are charged with a duty of care over children to report sexual assault and sexual violence.
“In many cases where children are the victims of sexual assault, the perpetrator is known to them and many of these cases go unreported.
“Any person who fails to make the necessary report under this section will be considered to have committed a criminal offence, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both,” she said.
[email protected]
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