Yesterday, members of the National Council (NC), heckled Doreen Sioka, the minister of gender equality and poverty eradication, at a Swakopmund workshop. She was furious at the rudeness displayed.
The workshop focused on capacity-building in strengthening gender equality, inclusive governance through NC.
Sioka was giving councillors to address gender inequalities in the NC. At the moment, there are six women and 36 male councillors.
She said the NC is lagging behind in achieving 50/50 gender representation, upon which some of the men in the audience said “it’s not our issue”, while others were chuckling.
The men continued their conversations while the minister spoke, prompting the minister to call them to order.
“I have never experienced this rudeness I am seeing here. It’s not something I take seriously. If I am talking, you don’t intervene,” she said.
The incident occurred in the presence of Yvonne Dausab, the minister of justice, and two guest facilitators from International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Sioka stated that hackling of women in parliament was common.
“The experience women are facing in the NC is not going to solve the problem to allow women to stand as members of the NC.
“There are many experiences women are facing, but they are not heard in the NC,” Sioka said.
Minister said that the gap between the genders can affect the passing of laws favoring women.
She challenged political parties and organizations to amend their constituencies to achieve 50/50 gender representation.
Harald Kambrude, a councillor from the Rehoboth West Urban constituency, expressed disappointment at the behavior of his fellow NC members.
“I am highly disappointed because that is tantamount to bullying. You don’t do this. You shouldn’t do that in public. Never,” he said.
Kambrude’s position was also supported by Paulus, the Rundu Rural constituency councillor.
“It is totally unacceptable. I will go and confront the one who made the interjection,” he said.
Dausab stated that rules of engagement are important at events where national interests are discussed.
“Disruption as a general norm is unacceptable. All of us at all times must always give people an opportunity to express themselves freely and express what they feel – regardless of the fact that you may be disagreeing with what they are saying,” she said.
Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu was the senior adviser for democracy and inclusion at Idea. He applauded that the minister reprimanded the men.
“I have realised that women who are already in the NC and National Assembly realise the resistance and the pushback there.
“That should not cause women to quit and stop. Actually, that should be an encouragement,” she said.
BILLS ARE TO BE REVIEWED
Sioka, at the gathering, announced that lawmakers were in the process to review the Criminal Procedure Act 51 (1997).
The parliament is looking into tightening bail requirements for those accused of gender-based violence(GBV)-related crimes, and is encouraging survivors to actively participate in bail applications.
It is also contemplating tightening parole, rehabilitation, and other measures under the Correctional Service Act 9 (2012/12).
The lawmakers will also examine the withdrawal of cases based on intimidation under the Combating of Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2002, as the Witness Protection Act is still not operationalised.
“I hope when these bills go to the NC they will be receiving the greatest support,” the minister said.
Source: namibian
