Gender-based violence and suicide national issues: Kasuto

RUACANA, 05 SEP  – Gender-based violence and suicide have become national problems that require every citizen’s involvement, the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs, Gotthard Kasuto has said.
Kasuto made the remarks while addressing his committee’s public hearing on gender crimes and suicide at Outapi and Ruacana in the Omusati Region this week.
“Many victims of gender-based or domestic violence are women and children,” the deputy chairperson said.
He singled out the murder of nine-year-old Cheryl Ujaha in Windhoek recently. Her mutilated body was found in a riverbed last week.
Kasuto also bemoaned men behaving as if they own women once they enter into relationships, as well as traditional beliefs that a man hitting his wife is normal.
He further said the suicide rate is high in Namibia.
“These things are real, and the question is what we should do to address it,” Kasuto noted, adding that his committee is conducting public hearings to obtain the input of communities on motions on gender-based violence and suicide discussed in the National Assembly.
“We are here to hear from you what is really the cause of these incidents and what is to be done for us to come up with preventive measures,” he told the community of Ruacana during a public hearing there on Tuesday.
Many of those present mentioned alcohol and drug abuse, financial problems and divorce as leading to gender-based violence and suicide during the public hearing at Ruacana.
Kasuto’s delegation consists of Eunice Ipinge, Annakleta Sikerete, Johanna Kandjimi, Loide Shinavene, Elma Dienda and Madala Nauyoma. – NAMPA