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Summary: A study of the root causes of violence against women and children in Namibia was launched last week.
The research, which is being conducted by the Ministry of Safety and Security in collaboration with the Women's Action for Development (WAD), and the University of Namibia, will be carried out over two and a half months. The joint investigation will focus on violent crimes against women and children committed by men. Researchers will interview inmates at selected prisons in certain regions including, Hardap, Oluno, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay, where offenders are held for committing serious violent crimes. The findings of the research will be used to make recommendations for remedial action. During the launch of this project, Commissioning NGO representative, Executive Director of WAD Veronica de Klerk, commented that the root causes of violence against women and children in Namibia have are not being tackled. Violent crimes are treated in a sensationalist way in the media and calls for immediate action are taken, but there is no attempt to understand the root causes of violence. De Klerk stressed that this study will contribute towards public education about violence against women and children in Namibia and will have far-reaching positive effects for public attitudes. The final report will be presented to President Pohamba, civil society organisations, youth movements, educational institutions and churches, in May 2006. Source: AllAfrica See information about the UN Study on Violence in Southern Africa