WOMEN IN• • am 1a FALL 1995 on my mind

by Judith Ann Diers means "we have no place to stay." omething told me not to worry, For me, moving to even though no one had met Katutura was a choice. Sme at the airport and I was Knowing this, I saw the now riding in a strange car, through contradictions of soli­ darkness. Maybe it was the confidence darity. While I was of the Zambian woman sitting next to "standing with" my me. When no driver turned up for me, neighbors, I always had she insisted I join her. I could also attri­ an escape route. Clearly, bute my peace of mind to that sense the experience was more whites seem to have: that anything can important to my growth, be conquered. We move confidently into than to their struggle for new situations and even newly inde­ justice. pendent black countries. The segregated hous­ Another reason for my sense of secu­ ing scheme closely rity was that this far-off land had become resembled the South commonplace in conversations around African system. Most our dinner table, in sermons and class­ major towns were exclu­ es at St. Paul's Church [Waverly, Iowa], sively white before and tfie divestment campaign at St. Olaf independence. Black College. I welcomed the chance to final ~ men seeking urban jobs ly see Namibia, the country I had come left their wives behind to love from a distance. It would be to raise the children, three years before I returned-and many crops and animals. A more before I fully admitted what I had large black community learned and refused to learn from my sprung up outside the gracious hosts. For this is the story of a white town to serve white woman who lived for three years whites. in an all-black township. The system was not simply ernment also built them better schools a "black and white" construction. The and homes-creating re.sentment Katatura "gray" areas were also crucial to the between the black and "colored" com­ For most, the Katutura township rep­ control system. A large population of munities-a carefully orchestrated resented a coerced location. Thirty years "colored" Narnibians, who had migrated strategy. earlier, Namibian blacks were forcibly from the Cape district of , The architects of apartheid made this removed from town and given barren were assigned a township between the a model township. In line with attempts land far from ancestral homes. As South white town and black township. This to divide the black community and cre­ African officials bulldozed houses, the population acted as a "buffer," physical­ ate tensions, the township was divided people protested, hundreds with their ly and socially, within white society. into ethnic groups. Each house had a lives. The name given to their new They worked in the banks, shops and code, painted clearly on its door: "0" for "home" reflected the history: Katutura offices of the white community; the gov- Continued on page 2 Owambo-speaking persons, "H" for Soon after I moved in, my next door wealthier family in town, which now Herero, or "D" for Damara/Nama. neighbor asked whether she could wash included a few blacks employed in gov­ Even with an address representing my clothes for me. This was out of the ernment. But life was still about basic the area's history, I remained a white question-until the day she asked to survival. Two separate economies con­ middle-class German-American woman. borrow some money to buy food. It was tinued to function: one in the town and I wondered whether my presence could a small amount, but more than she could the other in the township. Few Katutura ever represent anything but oppression. readily repay. Rather than have the debt residents could afford to shop in town. I quickly became "Auntie" to approx­ The informal sector grew out of the need imately 20 children in the neighborhood. for survival. It provided basic services My house became an "English Only" and goods to the community, as few zone to work on their school lessons. people had gained the economic inde­ Some days, we'd talk, sing, cook and pendence necessary to participate in the dance, too-often simultaneously. Their formal sector. English improved dramatically, accord­ Without economic power, political ing to school reports. I was often seen independence meant very little to most with five or six kids in town-at the Namibians. Many gave up childhood­ swimming pool, ice cream shop, or the and the chance of an education-to take movie theater. They became my Namib­ up a gun for the struggle; they now sat ian family. on street corners, waiting to be picked up My little house had bars on all win­ by a white farmer or construction fore­ dows and doors, due to escalating crime. man for a day of casual labor. But no one else had a cadre of children Unemployment soared to almost 40%. guarding their home. The kids' biggest As in South Africa, a whole genera­ concern was that I had neither a man nor tion of youth were lost to the struggle-if a gun to protect me. not physically, then emotionally. Still, I underestimated my personal Survival had required the quick use of risk as a single, white female in the force. I wondered if the cycle of physi­ township. Friends continually pleaded cal and psychological violence would be with me to move into town and warned: weigh on her, I suggested she wash my broken for the children in my neigh­ "Don't assume that your whiteness will clothes in exchange. And so I began­ borhood. Does independence bring new protect you there." After six months or continued-the cycle of service to paradigms for dealing with conflict and alone and an attempted break-in, white women by black women. injustice? Is so, who will teach them? Telequey, a 16-year-old girl, moved in. As one of the few car owners in the It was lovely having company and she • neighborhood, my economic status was "You don't have was thrilled to have her own room, after even more blatant. Along with it, came to be white to be right" sharing one with four brothers and sis­ very clear expectations. My emergency For whites to begin discovering our ters. duties usually came in the middle of the complete humanity, we need to engage Full of idealism, I sought a "new night: a woman in labor, or someone in the lives of our black brothers and sis­ way" for white and black women to hurt seriously in a street fight. The road ters-at home and abroad. We need to relate to one another. My neighbors to the Katutura hospital became very affirm the blackness within each of us. knew white women as "madam," so familiar. Weekdays in the emergency As long as we despise and suppress the changes came gradually. One day, I room were quiet, but a weekend night darkness, we will despise not only parts joined the women for a cup of tea, sit­ could be gruesome. The effects of the of ourselves, but an entire race. Our lib­ ting on overturned oil buckets. They system's violence-alcohol abuse, gun­ eration is inextricably bound to our couldn't stop giggling; finally, one said shot wounds, and the anger and pain of sisters and brothers of color. they'd never seen a white woman sit on young unemployed men-were laid bare Along with friends, I frequented a a can. We all laughed, and the gathering in that room. popular dance club in the township. We became a weekly ritual. After two years of independence used to laugh at the coincidence that To supplement their wages as domes­ under a democratically elected govern­ one of the first hit songs after our arrival tic workers-about $15 per week for ment, the basic tenets of my neighbors' was "You Don't Have to be White to be full-time work-the women sewed gar­ lives remained intact. "Not much has Right." But what happens when the ments, sold flavored ice to school changed since independence," they'd dance is over? When society continues children, and hot food along the road. claim. If employed, they worked for a to affirm the rightness of whiteness-

2 through its advertisements and its oppor­ denied. I thought about the feminism point of Namibia, I got a glimpse of tunities. Do we recognize the symbols of espoused in the U.S.-how my own lib­ America and racism from a new angle. superiority which pervade every aspect eration is connected to other women's But, the concept of solidarity continues of our lives? freedom to love themselves fiercely. to baffle me. Does it involve denounc­ I often stayed in the border village of How can I love myself when my image ing one's privileges? I think not. After Engela with the family who had adopt­ is used to induce self-hatred in my black showing me the world through different ed me. I was always put in the bedroom sisters? How can I love a white Christ lenses, would my Namibian friends of one of their teenage girls, while she whose image insists that his followers be expect me to deny myself every means would be displaced to another room. cleansed white as snow? I long for a to change it? During my first visit, I was surprised life-long dance-to the tune "you don't The concept of solidarity is not the by the pictures tacked on the wall-pic­ have to be white to be right." glorification of poverty and oppression. tures of white voluptuous women in Rather, it is the acknowledgment of swim suits. I despised the pictures, won­ Home sweet home oppression and one's connection to it. dering whether my presence and Returning to the United States, I con­ Burning those connections destroys representation in media contributed to tinue to reflect on the meaning of my opportunities to change them. The chal­ young black women's self-hatred. Is it privileges-white, middle-class, edu­ lenge, then, is to use power to transform possible to confront and challenge those cated, American. They can be as oppressive structures. images as a white woman? oppressive here as I perceived them ini­ The questions I will keep before me The connections between sexism, tially in Namibia. Or, they can be seized are: Is there space in the house we are racism and imperialism cannot be as power to change. From the vantage building for the poorest of the world's women and children to live healthy and peaceful lives? Will they contribute to ~~-~.-!'.f...;~':··-~<,~.~.-':-.--._:{,~ •.·:_::.~~,.·,:,'.'~;~~-~~~·-::>:.~··.:·!.';./'~:· ''·: ·-:-:.,: :~--.' ', ~.. ~ ' ... ··.··~.· '.~( ·: the floor plans or carry the rock to the . building site? My accountability must .~ ~-~.\i£~·:- ~~~~Women of the E.LCA grants :~·;/~:~~~~· always be to the world's women and children living in poverty. In that way, Thefollowinggroups in Namibia received grants in 1995 through the Women ofthe I am called back to my Christian her­ ELCA Designated Gift Program #528: itage, which concerns itself with "widows and orphans." Whom better

Andreas Kukuri Centre Council of Churches ...:"~~ : ~ ~ than they to serve-as a measure of our .. r. ,' Garden Project Women's Desk ...... : humanity? They who are responsible The garden project, sponsored by the Oshiko Women's Group for life and its nourishment, they who do Women's Department of the Andreas Located in the Northern region of two-thirds of the world's labor and own Kukuri Centre, involves women oP Namibia, the Oshiko Women's Group 1 percent of the land? the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the focuses on self-determination and Finally, work must be done in my Republic of Namibia (ELCRN)in the empowerment. The Women of the own community to provide us all a way cultivating and marketing of vegeta­ ELCA grant provides (unds to estab­ to address fears and questions about bles and fruits. The goals are to lish an English language course, racism. My energy must be infused into empower women, develop their lead­ develop a COmD;lunity cultural muse­ the institutions I love-those who raised ership skills, and provide income. um, and purchase equipment for a me as a child of God; those who loved kindergarten. me enough to let go-so that I could Ekamba Parish · • J<·' -..-_ ·.· . ,'~1~' ~ ~ \~~:· ~~ ~~~: discover the holiness of others. '\ ( Pre-Primary School Women m the \. ~ : :~ This small school, a program of the Evangelical Lutheran ~~~-~t:;: Judith Ann Diers begins doctoral stud­ Ekamba Parish in the Evangelical Church in Namibia .~.;:.~ '~_..; ies at Princeton Seminary in fall, 1995. Lutheran Church.in Namibia (ELCIN), Leadership Development is struggling to meet the educational ELCIN Women is an organization needs of young children. This grant which supports leadership develop­ assists the school in upgrading class­ ment and empowerment among its rooms and providing teaching members. This grant supports dress­ materials. making, knitting, and food-gardening projects.

3 All Lutheran Women's Conference

Namibian women and the law A main speaker at the All Lutheran Women's Conference in May was lawyer Ms. Bience Gawanas, Chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission. She received her law degree while in exile in England. Equally at home in her Damara tradition and her European experiences, Ms. Gawanas is a powerful role model for Namibian women. Following are excerpts from her pre­ sentation.

What are women's experiences of the law? We have two things in common: we are women and we are Lutheran. But we come from different ethnic groups, class- · es, and educational backgrounds. There by Solveig Kjeseth met in Berseba, far to the South. The is no single female standard we can use next year they met in Swakopmund. to measure our experiences. And so our omen of Namibia seek to Finally, in 1986, the group gathered in day-to-day encounters with the law are fulfill our Lord's desire Keetmanshoop and met with Lutheran different. W that we "may all be one" World Federation delegates from Cultural assumptions about women's (John 17:21). In May of this year, they Geneva. But increased tensions among roles also affect assumptions about came by bus, train, and car to Swakop­ the boards of the Lutheran churches in men's roles. If women are responsible mund for the All Lutheran Women's Namibia, pressures of apartheid, and for child care-men are not responsible Conference to express their unity. Some church politics led to a temporary end of for child care. These assumptions go even hitchhiked! the dream for a united church. The hand in hand. Nearly 300 women from three ' women were told they should not meet The media casts women in stereo­ Lutheran church bodies-Evangelical until "matters were resolved." typed roles: servant, mother, sex-object. Lutheran Church in Namibia, Evangel­ Locally, the women continued to We are often not seen in our diversity, ical Lutheran Church in the Republic meet. In 1994, after an eight-year as we really are, but as what they want of Namibia, and the German Lutheran "pause," women from all three church­ us to be. Church-met for three days to worship, es met again in Okahandja. Their dream When women are considered in think, and pray together. was revived! stereotypical terms, we are all dimin­ The Swakopmund conference con­ And now, on this May weekend, hun­ ished. tinues an effort begun in 1982, when dreds of women, black and white and women of the proposed "United brown-all Lutherans-celebrated Three questions: Lutheran Church of South West Africa" together. Many faces were the same as What are human rights? Human came together in a historic gathering at in 1982, older, but still determined to be rights concern the inherent dignity and the Ongwediva Training Center in the "perfected in unity so that the world worth of a person. Every child has the North. The chartered bus transporting might know the love of God which right to respect and a decent life. Human participants from Windhoek must have makes all of us one" (John 17:23). rights are about daily living, not some­ shocked South African soldiers as it At the closing worship, Landes­ thing enshrined in the constitution. passed through the control point into probst Reinhardt Keding advised the Domestic violence is a crime, but it is Ovamboland-full of black and white women to return to their congregations also a violation of basic human rights. women together! and challenge the men to follow their What is equality? Equality does not In 1983, these courageous pioneers example! mean "being the same as." People-

4 men and women -are not identical. husband's permission. A bill to make "Human rights are Equality for women means to fully enjoy spouses equal before the law will be the same level of human rights as men. introduced in the National Assembly It does not mean being compared with this year. about daily living, not men. For women married under Tmditional What is discrimination? It is the Laws, discrimination is often even denial of basic human rights to anyone worse. When a husband dies, his fami­ something enshrined for any reason. When two groups have ly may come to take all of the property. Another area of law which needs to Bience Gawanas be changed is that of divorce. Current­ in the constitution. " ly, a divorce must be adversarial. One person must be guilty, at fault. So the Bience Gawanas process involves publicly "airing the dirty linen." What does this do to the husband, the wife, and especially the practices contrary to the enjoyment of children? That law must be changed full human rights, guaranteed to us by and both parents encouraged to plan for our constitution. the welfare of their children. Traditional Laws are even harder to Solveig Kjeseth, former Director of change than General Law, because they National Namibia Concerns, is currently are based on long-acccepted attitudes. in Namibia at Paulinum Seminary with But unless women press for legal her husband, Peter, representing changes, we will continue to live under Wartburg Seminary.

• ) • I Update qo _dental student ' . by Naomi Linnell . functions, biting patterns and their effects historically been treated differently, this on the teeth]. does not mean that automatically, on ·~ •. J::'eatured as a "pioneer among us" March 21, 1990, (Namibian Indepen­ r inthefall1994issueofWomenin What are you doing this summer? dence Day) everyone became "equal." Namibia, Mariana Amwaala just suc­ I am seeing patients in a clinic. I am the To apply exactly the same law, the same · cessfully. completed her second year of dentist. On my first day I was in oral standards, to everyone would be dis­ dental school at Creighton University surgery, helping with extractions and criminatory. Dental College [Omaha, Neb.]. She's removing sutures. I will ,be assigned a Affirmative action is needed. Those well on the way to turning theory into wide variety of procedures throughout who have been disadvantaged, because practice! Following are excerpts from a the sununer. of ethnic group or gender or position, telepho_ne question and answer interview must be helped-socially, culturally, with Mariana. Do you have other comments? economically, educationally. Only then I am gmteful that I have the pri~ege of can they run the race with fairness. What have !}le main ~hallenges been studying to become a dentist and I am Laws which don't take into account going from college to dental school? · thankful for the assistance I have received. the different experiences of men and of The academic challenges were more women-laws that treat people equal­ intense. There were more classes, studies Women of the ELCA provided-funds to ly-will be discriminatory. were unfamiliar, more time and energy assist Mariana with her second year of Namibian law lags far behind the was required. Dental terminology was a dental school and has pledged money promises of the Namibian Constitution. new language. toward her third year. A woman married under the General Law of Namibia is considered a minor, ·What has been your favorite course? Naomi Linnell is Assistant Director for with her husband as legal guardian. She ~ particularly enjoyed biochemistry and Colleges and lfniversities, ELCA Division may not sign contracts, obtain loans, or occlusions [which deals with how the jaw for Higher Education and Schools. initiate legal proceedings without the

5 Annual Ecumenical Women's Co terence May 12-14, 1995

by Nangula Kathindi

he voices of women rise toward the sky. They sing T melodiously while walking around the mission. It is May 12, 1995. We are gathered at Okatana Catholic Church Mission for The Council of Churches in Namibia Women's Desk's Annual Conference; the ecumenical event is attended by women from different churches, includ­ ing the Anglican Diocese of Namibia, Topics discussed in the conference towns. Such groups will encourage wo­ the Roman Catholic Church, and the included: men to come forward to report cases of Evangelical Lutheran Church in rape, domestic violence and other Namibia. Education of children abuses. Women will learn more about Most of the women were dressed in The importance of basic education their rights and support other women traditional dresses- woven cotton skirts and the role of women as parents was who are victims of abuse. They also in red colors, matching blouses, scarves pointed out. The women were assured vowed to influence legislation, making around their heads, and ornaments of that the Ministry of Education is encour­ punishment of offenders very severe. shells or metal. aging education for girls, as opposed to Women performed three plays: 1) A This mission is one of the major mis­ the previous government which dis­ play showing the need for the churches sions of the Catholic Church in Namibia; criminated against women in education. to be self-reliant and not solely depen­ it has a hospital, a church and a high The Ministry of Education encour­ dent on outside funding of projects; 2) school. ages parents to assist in educating A play depicting the relationship of in­ Women came to discuss issues relat- ' children on several topics, including sex laws to families and the importance of ing to their lives under the umbrella of education, formerly a taboo subject. respect among all people; 3) A play the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in about injustices in the court system when Solidarity with Women. The Decade's The CCN Children's Desk presentation women are abused. Often cases are dis­ main emphases are: 1) Women's full Women heard directly from children missed and the women are blamed for participation in church and community about what they would like from their their misfortunes. life; 2) Women's perspectives and com­ parents. Parents were reminded about The conference concluded with an mitments to justice, peace and the the importance of good relationships ecumenical service in the Okatana integrity of creation; 3) Women's the­ between themselves and their children, Catholic Church. Women marched ology and spirituality. and with their children's teachers. around the church building for an hour­ The program opened Friday evening singing and dancing- before the service with an address by a Catholic priest who Women's Rights started. It was spectacular to see the has been in exile with Namibians in Brainstorming sessions produced church full of women from many dif­ . agreement among participants that they ferent traditions fully participating. The next morning, women got up have rights: to be married and make early to do physical exercises and sing. marriage work, to care for their families, The Rev. Nangula Kathindi is an The atmosphere was solemn, but fes­ to make their own decisions, to be edu­ Episcopal priest and director of CCN tive. About 25 meters from the meeting cated, to be healthy, and to have a job. Women's Desk in the North. place, a group of six women were busy They decided to form small support cooking lunch for 300 women. groups in their villages, districts, and

6 Teacher interns at the

Julia Iilonga, a teacher from the "trickle-down" approach is not work­ Namibia, began an internship with ing-the focus is shifting from economic Lutheran Office for World Community at development to human development. the Church Center for the United At the summit, heads of states and Nations in the fall of 1994. She tells of governments pledged themselves to ten her experience below. commitments, including strengthening their cooperation in social development Introduction efforts through the UN. am from Northern Namibia, born in a village called Oshihole. Reactions and Future Before my Lutheran Office for Expectations World Community internship began in The UN seemed overwhelming at September, 1994, I taught accounting first, along with the culture shock of for six years in a small town called New York City. Accustomed to open Oshakati. spaces, I was surprised to see all the tall During Namibia's first free election, buildings. Understanding the American I served as an interpreter for a United English accent also was difficult. But Nations team. Impressed with the way the staff at Lutheran Office for World the UN Transitional Assistance Group Julia lilonga Community was supportive, and I thank staff performed their duties, I eagerly God that I stayed. applied for the internship at the Lutheran The program has been very enlight­ Office for World Community-the Another area of my focus is women. ening. I've gathered good ideas, but I Lutheran office at the UN. The intern­ I learned that women are excluded from then wonder whether nations like ship's objective is for me to learn how economic and political decision-mak­ mine-with limited resources and tech­ the UN works, focusing on human rights ing processes. One reason is that the nology-will be able to implement such and women's issues. majority lack adequate skills because good ideas. of exclusion from schooling. Many I've also learned about terribly Experience at the UN nations now understand they must shift destructive affects of armed conflicts Upon my arrival, I learned about the from their traditional ways and start con­ on people-mainly women and chil­ UN and its main objective: maintain- · sidering women as partners in dren. I consider this a challenge to us as ing international peace and justice. I decision-making. I believe that "When Christians not directly affected by such began attending General Assembly one educates a woman, then one has difficulties. We need to provide assis­ meetings. The GA is divided into six educated the whole nation," because tance. Most importantly, I call upon committees; I follow the Third Com­ women pass on knowledge to new gen­ Christians to include the people affect­ mittee, which deals with humanitarian erations. ed in their prayers, and to pray that such problems, including human rights and The UN has held Conferences on tragedies come to an end. women's issues. I've learned a great Women for the past 20 years. The fourth I plan to return to teaching, and to deal about human rights violations is planned for Beijing, China, in bring information to my students and worldwide. September this year. Women worldwide colleagues. I now have background Last year, the UN appointed the first have high expectations that the Beijing knowledge on human rights and High Commissioner for Human Rights, meeting will suggest solutions to the women's issues to share with women's who works to promote and protect all problems they face. programs in the church lPld in society at rights. Special UN representatives inves­ I attended a meeting of the Prepar­ large. tigate situations in countries such as atory Committee for the World Summit I thank the Almighty, my sponsors, Mghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti. The for Social Development, held in prepa­ the Lutheran World Federation, and organization also established Inter­ ration for the Summit held in everyone who helped make this pro­ national Tribunals for former Yugoslavia Copenhagen, Denmark, this March. gram succeed. I thank Lutherans and Rwanda to bring to justice those Leaders acknowledged that the previous worldwide for their contribution to our who've committed genocide. focus on economic development and independence struggle.

7 We've got hope!

by Joan Gerig learn that the minfstry of women pas­ tors is accepted in Namibia and South his spring two pastors from Africa. Both pastors shared some of the Southern Africa traveled in pain of waiting for acceptance, as well as T the United States on a trip the joys of now serving a congregation. organized by the Southern Africa When asked about what is better in Network of the ELCA. their countries now, both women men­ Both Pastor Caroline Mhlongo from tioned the hope they feel. Pastor Aino the Evangelical Lutheran Church in also related how immunizations are now Southern Africa and Pastor Aino available throughout the country and that Kapewongolo from the Evangelical education is more accessible. Both Lutheran Church in Namibia were women were pleased that their children among the first women ordained in their are not required to learn Afrikaans, as churches. In addition to sharing their they were. Pastor Aino smiled and stat­ personal struggles as women pastors, ed, "We have hope in the future!" they were eager to talk of the struggle for freedom in their countries. Joan Gerig is coordinator of the I traveled with both women to Iowa Southern Africa Network, (SANjELCA). and Wisconsin; Pastor Caroline then ELCA organizations, including flew to the Caribbean synod, companion Commission for Women, Division for synod to her Eastern diocese, while Global Mission, Congregational Social Pastor Aino and I went to Washington Ministry and Women of the ELCA, sup­ and California. ported the women's tour. Pastor Caroline (left) and Many people were encouraged to Pastor Aino

Progress in childhood education

by Solveig Kjeseth improve the quality of care and educa­ tion for young children by providing hildren are everywhere in "in-service" training for day care Women in Namibia is an occasional publi­ CNamibia. In a country where providers and pre-school teachers. cation of Women of the Evangelical nearly 50% of the population is under 15 Classes meet weekly for two years, sup­ Lutheran Church in America, 8765 West years, one cannot help but think about plemented by several three-day Higgins Road, Chicago, Illinois 60631- 4189, 312/380-2730. children. Informed that more than half of "intensive courses" focusing on child these children live in poverty, one can­ development and psychology. Editor Joan Pope, Director for Peace With Justice not help but worry about them. What A long-range KEEC goal is to devel­ Copy Editor will ensure that these little ones have a op and test a curriculum for e~rly Anna McKinley, Editorial Specialist chance for a healthy, meaningful. life? childhood care and education adaptable Design and layout The Katutura Early Education Course to both rural and urban settings. The Scott Holl, Holl Design is an important initiative of the Children's Desk has received assistance Copyright© 1995 Women of the Children's Desk of the Council of for this effort from educators in Norway Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Churches in Namibia. Established in and Finland. Permission is granted to organizations of 1994 and directed by Selma Shejavali, Hopefully, KEEC's achievements Women of the ELCA to reproduce this material as needed providing copies are for KEEC recognizes that a child's earliest will inspire other groups to provide sim­ local use only and include the copyright experiences are critical to healthy devel­ ilar training to nurture the eager minds notice above. opment. of Namibia's smallest citizens. The main objective of KEEC is to