Women’s Voices: Plural, Varied, Amplified
Have you ever wondered about the history of LGBTQI+ rights in Namibia, or been confused about exactly which laws affect the LGBTQI+ community? Have you ever picked up a newspaper or gone online and wished that Namibian media found more effective ways to cover the community’s struggle for basic human rights? Look no further: @nidteam recently published The Namibian House: Building Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Persons – a comprehensive document… Keep Reading
It took 34 years for Namibia to produce political leaders willing to stand publicly for the rights of LGBTQI+ people. Last month, independent presidential candidate Rosa Namises and the All People’s Party (APP) became the first to vocally support same-sex marriage and equal rights. In 2024, where acknowledgement and acceptance of different gender identities and sexual orientations are so widespread, this may not seem groundbreaking. [Editor’s note: Rosa Namises is… Keep Reading
The results are in – Namibians are ready to cast their ballots in November’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. While voter registration has been a concern in past elections, 91 percent of eligible voters registered in the two month window. While this news is certainly heartening, the real uphill battle begins now. It is notable that, at present, none of the political parties contesting these elections have released a manifesto…. Keep Reading
The Namibian Constitution was ratified on the 9th of February 1990 and came into effect 40 days later, on the 21st of March 1990–Namibia’s first Independence Day. The Constitution was drafted after the first free parliamentary elections, which were held between the 7th and the 11th of November 1989. Before 1978, only white people were eligible to vote or run for political office. After that, while political parties representing indigenous… Keep Reading
On the morning of the 21st of June 2024, journalists, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies stood in line outside The High Court of Namibia on Fonnie Karuaihe Street in Windhoek. The street–previously known as Luderitz Street–perhaps stood as symbolic foreshadowing for the decolonizing on the horizon inside the court as people stood outside with placards reading “Decolonize My Sexuality”. After security checks at the reception, everyone hastily… Keep Reading
In November, Namibians will head to the polls for the eighth time in the country’s democratic history. This is a time for reflection, a time to assess the actions of our leaders and the promises being made by those vying for our votes. But, time and time again, election years become a fertile breeding ground for opportunistic politicians and public figures. Those contesting for political positions try to find something… Keep Reading
“I’m five years older than Thapelo. When we were children and by ourselves, Thapelo and I would play dress up and pretend to have modelling shows. Thapelo never had to tell me who they are because I always knew, and we’ve always been close.” Shesmida Phori is a 28-year-old nurse who grew up with her sibling Thapelo Simushi in Omaruru and then Katima Mulilo. The eldest of three, she has… Keep Reading
ARLANA SHIKONGO Namibian political and public voices have echoed decades-old claims that homosexuality is ‘un-African’ and a supposed ‘Western import’ inconsistent with local religious values. Last year, after a Supreme Court judgment that immigration law must recognize same-sex marriages conducted abroad, a surge in anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric was observed. The ruling catalyzed intensified debates on LGBTQI+ rights. Equality While the judgment affirmed our constitutional commitment to equality, it also revealed an… Keep Reading
ARLANA SHIKONGO The discourse surrounding sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) predominantly centres on women, but it is imperative to acknowledge that men have an equally significant role to play in advancing SRHR. Erich Waly Hanadaob, a senior registered nurse at the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association, offers valuable insights into why it is crucial to engage men in efforts toward gender equality and reproductive health. Hanadaob asserts that it is… Keep Reading
ARLANA SHIKONGO Namibia is a nation deeply rooted in cultural traditions and religious beliefs which often influence how individuals navigate their day-to-day lives. Within this context, discussions regarding sexuality and reproductive health bear the profound imprint of culture, tradition and religion, significantly impacting the wellbeing of individuals and communities. According to Mirjam Josef, a medical doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology, there is a pervasive silence in discourse around sexual… Keep Reading
An analysis on the origins of sexual bigotry in Africa. • Jacinta Kasume Homophobia is the cultural and systemic fear of- or prejudice against homosexuals that sometimes manifests in oppressive legislature, or in bullying or premeditated violence against queer individuals. The term homophobia was coined by an American clinical psychologist, George Weinberg in his late 1960s book Society and the Healthy Homosexual. In the 19th century Western psychology began to… Keep Reading
![[PODCAST] For Ama, Episode 2 – Running Away From Home](https://sisternamibia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WhatsApp-Image-2023-02-12-at-8.24.34-AM.jpeg)
“For Ama” is an immersive Namibian storytelling series that explores the topic of healing through different women’s life stories and experiences. The series addresses the topic of healing through various life stories, from elders to young women and women from different economic and cultural backgrounds. We have so much to learn from each other’s stories. “For Ama” is available on all platforms! Listen to a new story every Monday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or… Keep Reading
