Maria David
“OUR society has become immoral and evil. Is it because of an unknown spiritual faith within our society or is it because there is no law and order?” questioned acting chairperson of the council of traditional leaders, Gaob Immanuel ≠Nu-Axa /G󠆎âseb during the official opening of the 23rd annual meeting of the council of the traditional leaders.
/G󠆎âseb stated that a week hardly goes by without a newspaper reporting of a woman being killed or raped, and quickly calling it gender based violence but in reality it is an act of criminality.
“We as traditional leaders are also disturbed by women and girls who are dumping babies, while we entrusted them with motherly love,” he said.
Further, /G󠆎âseb indicated that traditional leaders are also to be blamed as most of the time they concentrate on infighting, rather than enhancing the moral values of their cultures.
He indicated that many of their people lost their culture and morals, with only few trying their best to restore the moral cultural ethics through hosting of festivals to ensure that people do not become involved in immoral acts.
President Hage Geingob during the same occasion said traditional authorities and leaders have an integral role to play in the promotion and creation of conditions for the empowerment and protection of the rights and safety of women and children in society.
Geingob stated that he recognizes and applauds the stance of the traditional leaders against gender-based violence, and once again calls on them to do more and continue to work with the government and law enforcement agencies, in rooting out all forms of violence, discrimination and crime in general.
He also called on the elders to continue to guide and inspire communities, saying with their strength, support and patriotism, his confident that Namibia and its people will overcome all challenges and obstacles and ascend to the heights of continued peace, national harmony and shared prosperity.
