Namibia Elections and Conflict Management
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
GUIDE to CIVIL SOCIETY in NAMIBIA 3Rd Edition
GUIDE TO CIVIL SOCIETY IN NAMIBIA GUIDE TO 3Rd Edition 3Rd Compiled by Rejoice PJ Marowa and Naita Hishoono and Naita Marowa PJ Rejoice Compiled by GUIDE TO CIVIL SOCIETY IN NAMIBIA 3rd Edition AN OVERVIEW OF THE MANDATE AND ACTIVITIES OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN NAMIBIA Compiled by Rejoice PJ Marowa and Naita Hishoono GUIDE TO CIVIL SOCIETY IN NAMIBIA COMPILED BY: Rejoice PJ Marowa and Naita Hishoono PUBLISHED BY: Namibia Institute for Democracy FUNDED BY: Hanns Seidel Foundation Namibia COPYRIGHT: 2018 Namibia Institute for Democracy. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means electronical or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission of the publisher. DESIGN AND LAYOUT: K22 Communications/Afterschool PRINTED BY : John Meinert Printing ISBN: 978-99916-865-5-4 PHYSICAL ADDRESS House of Democracy 70-72 Dr. Frans Indongo Street Windhoek West P.O. Box 11956, Klein Windhoek Windhoek, Namibia EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.nid.org.na You may forward the completed questionnaire at the end of this guide to NID or contact NID for inclusion in possible future editions of this guide Foreword A vibrant civil society is the cornerstone of educated, safe, clean, involved and spiritually each community and of our Democracy. uplifted. Namibia’s constitution gives us, the citizens and inhabitants, the freedom and mandate CSOs spearheaded Namibia’s Independence to get involved in our governing process. process. As watchdogs we hold our elected The 3rd Edition of the Guide to Civil Society representatives accountable. -
Namibian Law on LGBT Issues (2015)
Namibian Law on LGBT Issues Gender Research and Advocacy Project LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTRE 2015 Section Heading A ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The primary author of this report is Dianne Hubbard. Research, writing and other support was provided by Felix Lüth, Laura Halonen, Shane Meckler, Sam Szoke-Burke, Drew Aiken, Rachel Coomer, Yolande Engelbrecht, Grace Kapere, and Markus Ihalainen. Design and layout are by Perri Caplan. Thanks also to the many Namibian groups working with LGBT issues for their input and interest, and to the entire Legal Assistance Centre team. The project was funded by the Government of the United States of America and the Embassy of Finland in Namibia. © Legal Assistance Centre 2015 This report may be freely copied for educational purposes, as long as the source is acknowledged. PUBLISHER’S CONTACT DETAILS 4 Marien Ngouabi Street (former name Körner Street), Windhoek PO Box 604, Windhoek, Namibia Telephone 264-061-223356 Fax 264-061-234953 Email [email protected] Website www.lac.org.na A digital version (PDF) of this publication is available on the LAC website. B Namibian Law on LGBT Issues ISBN 978-99945-61-53-7 CONTENTS Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Terminology .................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Homosexuality and bisexuality ................................................................................................ -
THE WOMEN's MOVEMENT in NAMIBIA: HISTORY, CONSTRAINTS and POTENTIAL Dianne Hubbard & Colette Solomon
THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN NAMIBIA: HISTORY, CONSTRAINTS AND POTENTIAL Dianne Hubbard & Colette Solomon Dianne Hubbard does legal research on gender issues for a public interest law firm called the Legal Assistance Centre. She is also a member of Women's Solidarity, a volunteer group involved in education and counselling around the issue of violence against women. Colette Solomon does social and economic research for the Social Sciences Division of the Multi- Disciplinary Research Centre at the University of Namibia. She is also a member of the committee convened by the government's Department of Women Affairs to prepare the national report for Beijing. Both authors live in Windhoek. Both see themselves as in being involved in work which includes educational and activist components as well as more traditional research. Both consider themselves to be part of the women's movement. Although one author is white and the other black, both are members of Namibia's urban, educated elite. ***** As a starting point, it is difficult to say whether there is something which can validly be called "a women's movement" in Namibia at present. On the one hand, it is possible to speak of a Namibia women's movement in two senses. Firstly, although there is no single organization which speaks for all Namibian women, various non-governmental organizations and governmental bodies which are concerned about issues affecting women have on occasion been able to put aside their differences to work together to achieve common aims. Secondly, there is a growing perception amongst Namibian women that many of their social and economic problems are related to their position as women, and they are showing an increasing interest in organizing to address such problems jointly. -
Promoting Democracy and Good Governance
State Formation in Namibia: Promoting Democracy and Good Governance By Hage Gottfried Geingob Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Leeds School of Politics and International Studies March 2004 The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. encourage good governance, to promote a culture of human rights, and to build state institutions to support these policies have also been examined with a view to determining the nature of the state that evolved in Namibia. Finally, the study carries out a democratic audit of Namibia using Swedish normative tools. 1 Acknowledgements The last few years have been tumultuous but exciting. Now, the academic atmosphere that provided a valuable anchor, too, must be hauled up for journeys beyond. The end of this most enjoyable academic challenge has arrived, but I cannot look back without a sense of loss - loss of continuous joys of discovery and academic enrichment. I would like to thank my supervisor, Lionel Cliffe, for his incredible support. In addition to going through many drafts and making valuable suggestions, Lionel helped me endure this long journey with his sustained encouragement. I also thank Ray Bush for going through many drafts and making valuable comments. He has an uncanny ability to visualize the final outcome of research effort. -
Gender and Sexuality in Namibia
Unravelling Taboos Gender and Sexuality in Namibia Edited by Suzanne LaFont and Dianne Hubbard Gender Research and Advocacy Project LEGAL ASSISTANCEUnravelling C ENTTaboos: RGenderE and Sexuality in Namibia ii Unravelling Taboos: Gender and Sexuality in Namibia Unravelling Taboos Gender and Sexuality in Namibia Edited by Suzanne LaFont and Dianne Hubbard Gender Research & Advocacy Project LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTRE Windhoek NAMIBIA Unravelling Taboos: Gender and Sexuality in Namibia iii © Legal Assistance Centre, 2007 4 Körner Street Windhoek P.O. Box 604 Windhoek Namibia 264-061-223356 264-061-234953 Email – [email protected] Website – www.lac.org.na An Adobe Acrobat (pdf) version of this publication is posted on the LAC website. Printed and bound by John Meinert Printing (Pty) Ltd in Windhoek. ISBNv Unravelling 978-99945-61-23-0 Taboos: Gender and Sexuality in Namibia Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................ vi 1. Overview: Gender and Sexuality in Namibia Suzanne LaFont ........................................................................................1 History: Colonialism, Christianity and Tradition 2. Making Tradition: A Historical Perspective on Gender in Namibia Heike Becker ..........................................................................................22 3. Past and Present Practices: Sexual Development in Namibia Philippe Talavera .....................................................................................39 4. The Myth of the Asexual -
A Reader in Namibian Politics
State, Society and Democracy A Reader in Namibian Politics Edited by Christiaan Keulder Macmillan Education Namibia Publication of this book was made possible by the generous support of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The views expressed by the authors are not necessarily the views of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Konrad Adenauer Stiftung P.O.Box 1145, Windhoek Namibia Tel: +264 61 225568 Fax: +264 61 225678 www.kas.de/namibia © Konrad Adenauer Stiftung & individual authors, 2010 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. Language editing by Sandie Fitchat Cover image by Melody Futter First published 2000 Reprinted 2010 Macmillan Education Namibia (Pty) Ltd P O Box 22830 Windhoek Namibia ISBN 978 99916 0265 3 Printed by John Meinert Printing, Windhoek, Namibia State, Society and Democracy Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................ vii List of Contributors ...................................................................................... viii List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................ix Introduction Christiaan Keulder ..............................................................................................1 -
NAMIBIA Namibia Is a Multiparty Democracy with a Population Of
NAMIBIA Namibia is a multiparty democracy with a population of approximately 2.2 million. The presidential and parliamentary elections held in November 2009 resulted in the reelection of President Hifikepunye Pohamba and the retention by the ruling South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) of its parliamentary majority. Despite some irregularities, international observers characterized the election as generally free and fair. In March the High Court dismissed a challenge to the election outcome filed by nine opposition parties; however, in September the Supreme Court overturned the decision and sent the case back to the High Court, where the case remained pending at year's end. Security forces reported to civilian authorities. Human rights problems included police use of excessive force; prison overcrowding and poor conditions in detention centers; arbitrary arrest, prolonged pretrial detention, and long delays in trials; criticism of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); harassment and political intimidation of opposition members; and official corruption. Societal abuses included violence against women and children, including rape and child abuse; discrimination against women, ethnic minorities, and indigenous people; child trafficking; discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and child labor. RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. There were no developments in the 2008 case in which a police officer shot and killed a demonstrator who stabbed a police constable during a political rally. On April 22, seven of the nine police officers accused of killing a suspect during interrogation in 2006 were found guilty of culpable homicide, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and obstructing the course of justice. -
2017 Annual Update Gender Research and Advocacy Project Legal Assistance Centre
2017 Annual Update Gender Research and Advocacy Project Legal Assistance Centre GR&AP annual planning meeting on 31 January 2017 launch of legal databases on 6 December 2017 2017 IN REVIEW ProBono In 2017, the Legal Assistance Centre launched a new newspaper column called “ProBono” which appears monthly in The Namibian. This is a project of the entire LAC, but GR&AP ensures that many of the columns cover issues on women’s and children’s rights and serves as the editor for the series. The topics covered in the fourteen ProBono columns published in 2017 were: 1) Pro bono (volunteer) work by legal practitioners 2) Compensation for crimes 3) Public demonstrations 4) Rape and disability 5) Learner pregnancy – prevention 6) Learner pregnancy – management 7) Police searches 8) Abortion after rape 9) Corporal punishment in private schools 10) Penalties for poaching 11) Marital property and “Red Line” marriages 12) Prescription (the time limit for bringing a legal action) 13) Children’s right to claim maintenance 14) Will-writing. The ProBono column on marital property was re-printed in Sister Namibia magazine. The public is invited in the introduction to each column to submit comments or proposals for future topics, but we received little feedback in 2017. If you find the columns useful or if you have suggestions for future topics, please let us know by sending an SMS to 081-600-0098. Past columns are available from the website of The Namibian: www.namibian.com.na. (You will find the entire series if you enter the term “ProBono” in the “archive search” section.) 1 EU Gender Analysis GR&AP was commissioned by the Delegation of the European Union to Namibia (EU) to produce a gender analysis to guide future intervention on gender issues in Namibia by the EU and its member states. -
Research, Information and Advocacy
NAMIBIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE SERVICE DIRECTORY 137 CHAPTER 6 Research, Information and Advocacy NAMIBIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE SERVICE DIRECTORY Chapter 6: Research, Information and Advocacy 138 Directorate: Developmental & Social Welfare Services CONTACT INFORMATION OVERVIEW OF MAIN SERVICES Region and Scope of Service Any member of the public can contact the nearest office Head office: Khomas (Windhoek) of the Directorate of Social Services for just about any Regional offices: see next page kind of health or welfare-related problem or emergency. National coverage Trained social workers will provide advice and individual counselling, and make appropriate medical, legal and Street Address other referrals to shelters and places of safety, support Central Hospital Complex, groups, professional institutions, etc. The Directorate is Harvey Street, Windhoek West particularly sensitive to its legal duty to protect women and children against domestic violence, sexual abuse Head Office Postal Address and neglect. P/Bag 13198, Windhoek The Directorate receives referrals from a wide range of Telephone Number organisations and institutions dealing with victims of Office hours: 061-2032602 domestic violence and sexual abuse, and along with the Women & Child Protection Units, the Directorate occupies Fax Number a central position in the continuum of services available Office hours: 061-223573 for victims throughout Namibia. If a person in need of assistance is unsure where to go to find it, ‘the nearest Contact Persons regional office of the Directorate is probably the best place Director: Ms B U Katjiungua to start. Deputy Director: Ms Masebane- Coetzee It is notable that under the draft Child Care and Protection Act, any person who is paid to provide any service to Affiliations children (e,g. -
Namibia: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression
Country Policy and Information Note Namibia: Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression Version 1.0 November 2018 Preface Purpose This note provides country of origin information (COI) and analysis of COI for use by Home Office decision makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims (as set out in the basis of claim section). It is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of a particular subject or theme. It is split into two main sections: (1) analysis and assessment of COI and other evidence; and (2) COI. These are explained in more detail below. Assessment This section analyses the evidence relevant to this note – i.e. the COI section; refugee/human rights laws and policies; and applicable caselaw – by describing this and its inter-relationships, and provides an assessment on whether, in general: x A person is reasonably likely to face a real risk of persecution or serious harm x A person is able to obtain protection from the state (or quasi state bodies) x A person is reasonably able to relocate within a country or territory x Claims are likely to justify granting asylum, humanitarian protection or other form of leave, and x If a claim is refused, it is likely or unlikely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Decision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts. Country of origin information The country information in this note has been carefully selected in accordance with the general principles of COI research as set out in the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI), dated April 2008, and the Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation’s (ACCORD), Researching Country Origin Information – Training Manual, 2013. -
AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER the First Home Grown Analysis of the Media Landscape in Africa
AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER The first home grown analysis of the media landscape in Africa NAMIBIA 2011 Published by: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) fesmedia Africa Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264 (0)61 237438 E-mail: [email protected] www.fesmedia.org Director: Mareike Le Pelley © Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) ISBN 978-99916-873-5-3 FREE COPY The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung or fesmedia Africa. fesmedia Africa does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. CONTENT SECTOR 1: 9 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, are effectively protected and promoted. SECTOR 2: 27 The media landscape, including new media, is characterised by diversity, independence and sustainability. SECTOR 3: 41 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the state broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. SECTOR 4: 53 The media practise high levels of professional standards. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011 1 The African Media Barometer (AMB) The African Media Barometer (AMB) is an in-depth and comprehensive description and measurement system for national media environments on the African continent. Unlike other press surveys or media indices the AMB is a self- assessment exercise based on homegrown criteria derived from African Protocols and Declarations like the “Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa” (2002) by the “African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights”. The instrument was jointly developed by fesmedia Africa, the Media Project of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Africa, and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in 2004. -
Women's Rights in Namibia
WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN NAMIBIA NAMIBIA WOMEN´S RIGTHS IN NAMIBIA TITLE: Women´s Rigths in Namibia GROUP: Justina Shilongo Work done in the Master on Empowerment and Leadership in Development Projects, within the project 10‐cap1‐0863 “Young Women, Empowerment and Development in Subsaharan Africa” cofinanced by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Develoment and executed by Fundación Mujeres. This publication was produced with financial support from Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). Its content are the exclusive responsibility of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of AECID or Fundación Mujeres. Octubre ‐ 2011 - 2 - WOMEN´S RIGTHS IN NAMIBIA SUMMARY Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………….4 The roots of Feminism…………………………………….…………………………………………………………..4 Does Feminism Come in Black and White?......................................................................6 Namibian Culture and the Construction of Women’s Roles………………………………………..7 The Impact of Christianity and Colonialism……………………………………………………..….….….12 Did the Liberation Struggle Liberate Namibian Women?...............................................12 Namibian’s women organisations…………………………………………………………….…….….…..….17 Namibian Feminism‐ An agenda for fighting for our future…………………………………….....27 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………29 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………..30 - 3 - WOMEN´S RIGTHS IN NAMIBIA Introduction. Namibia gained its independence from South African occupation