Women’s Voices: Plural, Varied, Amplified
Public healthcare in Namibia is not perfect. It is stretched and under-resourced, but also staffed by people who are trying. to provide care, often within tight systems. These are things I wish more patients knew before walking into a clinic or hospital for reproductive health concerns. Firstly, you are entitled to respectful care. Something I often tell family members and friends is to ask questions, lots of questions. You have… Keep Reading
Severe period pain is often dismissed the world over. What makes the Namibian context even more jarring is that not only do we have an under diagnosis problem as a continent, the discussion around what constitutes severe period pain is also had in a vacuum in the mainstream. As a result, women are being told to simply endure or growing up being told that it is “normal”. But pain that… Keep Reading
A few weeks ago, I found myself on the controversial and influential local gossip page, Omajuices. There is much to be said about the social power of gossip, but those are ruminations for another platform. For those who are unfamiliar with the modus operandi of the page, Omajuices functions in one of two ways. The page’s moderator can prompt a public dialogue based on popular culture or news, and invite… Keep Reading
Data is essential. It is responsible for painting a clear picture that depicts the type of condition a country is in. With a clearer image of the state the nation, the government can use data as a key tool in their approach to policy making and strategy. It is extremely difficult to address issues or implement strategies with any ounce of accuracy in the absence of relevant and current data…. 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
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
ARLANA SHIKONGO The intricate relationship between our mental states, our bodies, and how society perceives human sexuality remains an overlooked facet of sexual and reproductive health, however, psychology experts say our understanding of mental wellbeing deeply influences our approach to sexuality and sexual health. Emerita Malanguka, a seasoned clinical psychologist at the Care2Mind practice in Windhoek, delves into the mind-body connection within the context of sexuality and mental health. She… Keep Reading
Namibia’s law states that abortion is legal in cases of rape, incest, or where continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mental or physical health of the mother, or the life of the mother or foetus. The Maputo Protocol, which should form part of Namibia’s domestic law, says the same thing. It also says that African women have the right to choose how many children they have, when they have them,… Keep Reading
Rosemary Nalisa The high incidence of teenage pregnancies in the country, and the Zambezi Region in particular, has become a matter of concern for the community and men in the area are calling for the focus and conversation to shift and include the boy-child and men in general. Some of the factors contributing to teenage pregnancies have been identified as structural poverty, disorganised or poor hostel facilities at the various… Keep Reading
Rosemary Nalisa For many learners in the Zambezi Region, access to education is limited by an incredibly practical hurdle: distance. These learners have to decide whether to stay home with their parents or guardians, or find accommodation at schools kilometres away in hopes of accessing better education. ‘Home service’ facilities are common in the rural areas of the region where they serve as accommodation facilities for learners whose homes are… Keep Reading
Rosemary Nalisa Teachers at several secondary schools in the Zambezi region have termed the teenage pregnancy situation as a “time-bomb” that needs to be remedied as soon as possible before it completely explodes. A teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity pointed to unsupervised makeshift hostels – dubbed ‘home service’ – and poverty as contributing factors. This teacher claims his school usually records between four to six teenage pregnancies among… Keep Reading
