16 Days of Activism News from Namibia: 30 November

A coalition of Namibian civil society organisations launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence under the theme “All Human Rights for All” and “Peace Begins at home” in the capital of Windhoek this morning. Namibia will mark 10 Days of Activism this year. Speaking at the launch, Director of the Legal Assistance Centre, Normal Tjombe said not everybody enjoys basic human rights. He added that a growing number of children are being pushed to live on the streets by circumstances beyond their control.

“We see how their rights to education, a home and a family are fast being diminished and destroyed, unfortunately by our own action and inaction,” he said. He said December 1st, International World Aids Day, is a reminder that HIV/AIDS poses the single biggest threat to the enjoyment of all the human rights and freedoms guaranteed in various international treaties and the Namibian constitution.

“We are all affected by HIV/and AIDS and only through concerted efforts by everyone will we deal with the pandemic effectively,” he said.

Tjombe noted that December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disability and by commemorating this day, people must work towards a point when all human rights, such as access to public facilities, education, work, information and movement are enjoyable by all, regardless of their status.

“When we focus on promoting human rights in these 10 and 16 Days of Human Rights and Violence against Women, we are saying that every day is human rights day, and [everyone has] human rights,” he said.

GEMSA is coordinating its activities with local NGOs in the country. White and red ribbons were distributed at the event.