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Sister Namibia

Women’s Voices: Plural, Varied, Amplified

When Contact is Prioritised Over Safety

When Contact is Prioritised Over Safety

Namibia’s legal frameworks affirm that the best interests of the child are paramount. Namibia is a country governed by progressive laws and international human rights instruments that recognise children as rights-bearing individuals entitled to safety, dignity, protection and participation. I have witnessed first-hand how these provisions translate into real-time outcomes for children when they are applied by competent children’s advocates when interpreted without prejudice and bias. But in practice, many… Keep Reading

Seeking Fair Maintenance When You Are Not Poor

Seeking Fair Maintenance When You Are Not Poor

My experience of the maintenance system in Namibia is not the one most often told. I am employed. I earn a decent income. I own my home and my car, and I have a strong social support network. The father of my child is also employed and earns significantly more than I do. He pays maintenance regularly, on time, every month. On the surface, this might sound like a success… Keep Reading

The Namibian House – Building Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Persons

The Namibian House – Building Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Persons

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

What do Namibians really think about proposed homophobic laws?

What do Namibians really think about proposed homophobic laws?

A controversial bill, introduced by MP Jerry Ekandjo in July 2023, has sparked heated debate across Namibia. The proposed legislation seeks to criminalize same-sex marriages by restricting the legal definition of a “spouse” to opposite-sex couples and excluding gender-diverse individuals from marriage altogether. Those who support or perform same-sex marriages could face six years in prison or a N$100,000 fine. In the streets of Windhoek, local citizens shared their thoughts… Keep Reading

My Sibling’s Keeper: stories of LGBTQIA+ acceptance

My Sibling’s Keeper: stories of LGBTQIA+ acceptance

“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

Allies for equality: the key role of men in SRHR

Allies for equality: the key role of men in SRHR

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

Breaking the Silence: Cultural and Religious Barriers in Sexual and Reproductive Health

Breaking the Silence: Cultural and Religious Barriers in Sexual and Reproductive Health

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

[PODCAST] For Ama: A Namibian Storytelling Series

[PODCAST] For Ama: A Namibian Storytelling Series

Amara Evering “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 now available on all platforms! Listen to a new story every Monday… Keep Reading

We need to make teenage pregnancy a men’s issue

We need to make teenage pregnancy a men’s issue

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

Abuse thrives in makeshift hostels

Abuse thrives in makeshift hostels

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

A teacher’s dilemma: “we have become midwives to these kids”

A teacher’s dilemma: “we have become midwives to these kids”

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

Teenage pregnancy: when grandparents carry the burden

Teenage pregnancy: when grandparents carry the burden

The adage “education is key to success” is a phrase emphasised amongst all sectors of society in the Zambezi region battling to reduce rising numbers of teenage pregnancies and ensure that teenage girls stay in school.  The situation is raising alarm bells, as many poor and rural families experience the negative ripple effects brought about by their teenage children becoming parents and leaving them with no option other than to… Keep Reading

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Windhoek, Namibia

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