POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, SEXUAL STEREOTYPING AMONG ISSUES RAISED BY WOMEN'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION EXPERTS DISCUSSING NAMIBIA'S REPORT
Press Release
WOM/977
POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, SEXUAL STEREOTYPING AMONG ISSUES RAISED BY WOMEN'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION EXPERTS DISCUSSING NAMIBIA'S REPORT
19970708 Namibia should address the question of polygamous marriages, experts in the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women said this afternoon, as they commented on the initial report of that country.Even in countries where there was religious sanction for such marriages, efforts were being made to discourage them, experts in the 23-member Committee, which is the monitoring body for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, said. They stressed that since a majority of Namibians were Christians, it should be easier to prevent polygamous marriages. Further, experts asked if the Married Persons Equality Act would effect women in polygamous marriages.
The Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women reviews reports of States parties submitted in accordance with article 18 of the Convention, which requires States to submit reports within one year after accession and thereafter at least every four years. Reports focus on legislative, judicial and administrative measures adopted by States to give effect to the Convention provisions.
Also this afternoon, the need for legislative and programmatic measures to prevent violence and social discrimination against women in Namibia was stressed by experts. They inquired about the immediate steps that the Government planned to take to tackle domestic violence. Further, was the Government ready to set aside financial resources for establishing women and child abuse centres on a long term basis?
Experts drew attention to the need for specific time-frames for the implementation of temporary affirmative action measures for women and stressed that legislation was necessary to change cultural patterns which led to sexual stereotyping. In that context, it was noted that events such as the "Miss Universe" contest held in Namibia in 1995 perpetuated stereotyping of women. It was stressed that the Government should conceive of a programme of advocacy and awareness to inform women of their rights and the opportunities available to them.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 July, to consider the initial and second periodic reports of Luxembourg.
Committee Work Programme
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women met this afternoon to continue consideration of the initial report of Namibia on its implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. (For background information on the report, see Press Release WOM/976 issued today.)
Comments by Experts on Implementation of Specific Articles
Commenting on the implementation of article 3, under which States parties agree to make changes in their laws as necessary to guarantee women their basic rights and freedoms, experts stressed the need for legislative and programmatic measures to prevent violence and social discrimination against women. They inquired about the immediate steps that the Government planned to take to tackle domestic violence. Further, what was the position of non- governmental organizations on that issue? Experts also wanted to know if the Government was ready to set aside financial resources for establishing women and child abuse centres on a long-term basis.
Other experts drew attention to the serious problem of child labour, particularly the cases where teenagers had to give up school to look after siblings. An expert noted that the Combating of Immoral Practices Act in Namibia seemed to discriminate against prostitutes. Although the Act made it a crime to have sexual intercourse with a girl under age 16, special defences were provided to boys under 21 who had such intercourse with prostitutes. She stressed that the essence of rape was absence of consent, whether the victim was a prostitute or not was immaterial.
Commenting on article 4, which states that temporary measures taken to accelerate women's equality as well as maternity protection measures shall not be considered discriminatory, an expert noted that the report did not mention specific time-frames for the implementation of temporary affirmative action measures. She stressed the importance of outlining such time-frames.
Experts also wanted to know the overall representation of women in decision-making bodies. Given the broad scope of stereotypes, the Government should conceive of a programme of advocacy to target certain forms of discrimination, they said. Research, awareness campaigns and the training of volunteers were important in that regard. Further, an expert inquired about the kinds of discrimination prevalent in Namibia apart from polygamy. Was there a problem of excision in Namibia? she asked.
Concern was also expressed by experts that women's participation in the private sector remained limited. It was noted that affirmative action seemed to have had little impact in rural areas. Was there a minimum wage
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legislation in place? If so, how was it implemented? Also, was there any programme for credit accessibility for women? Experts also voiced concern on the inheritance law in Namibia and the women's position vis-a-vis land ownership.
Commenting on article 5, which deals with sex role stereotyping, an expert said legislation was necessary to change cultural patterns. She noted the concerns expressed about the organization in Namibia of the 1995 "Miss Universe" contest, saying such activities perpetuated the stereotyping of women. She had not seen in the report, she noted, any plans to change such stereotyping. She asked what was being done to enable women to be aware of their rights and practices which affected their health and those of children.
One expert said non-governmental organizations had indicated that violence against women was on the rise in Namibia, and that such acts were customarily tolerated, particularly by female relatives of victims. What was being done to address the problem? What measures had the Government put in place to deal swiftly with cases of sexual violence against women in detention? she further asked.
Referring to article 6, which deals with trafficking in women and prostitution, an expert asked what impact studies on the problem had had. She also inquired whether prostitutes had easy access to medical attention and what information concerning health risks and abortion was available to them. Were there programmes to educate women about prostitution, and were migrant women easily forced into it?
An expert said female school drop-outs were a vulnerable group and special programmes should be organized for them. Another expert asked what research had been done on male prostitution in light of the spread of AIDS. What information existed on child prostitution and child adoption? she also asked.
With regard to article 7, which deals with women in political and public life, an expert expressed concern that sufficient attention and resources had not been put to address the lack of involvement of Namibian women in that sphere. She wondered why legislative measures had not been used to impose affirmative action, which was also supported by the country's Constitution. She had also not read about Namibian women parliamentarians taking legislative initiatives to promote and protect women's rights. The expert sought information about women in Namibia's defence forces and whether it was compulsory for them to enlist. How many women were in decision-making positions and what efforts were there to correct the imbalance in that area?
Another expert sought clarification on voting rights and election of women to public office. Did the Ombudsman have powers of judicial review and
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what were the consequences if certain acts were unconstitutional? Information was also sought on what were the ministerial positions of the women in the country's cabinet, and the structure of the law reform commission.
Regarding article 8, which covers international representation, an expert asked whether Namibia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs included gender issues in its training of diplomats. The expert suggested that the country's initial periodic report should be reading material for diplomats and other public servants. Welcoming the fact that 43 per cent of the Foreign Ministry staff were women, the expert wondered why mainly women held the position of Third Secretary in the diplomatic service. She asked for their job description.
On article 10, dealing with education, an expert hoped that measures would be introduced to educate boys and teachers who impregnate girls about their parental responsibilities.
On article 11, which covers women and employment, an expert inquired whether steps had been taken to provide rural women in the public and private sectors with child care facilities. Another expert asked how women were discriminated against in the job market, and what measures were taken to advance careers of women.
On article 12, which provides for measures to be taken to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care, an expert noted that the report mentioned tuberculosis as one of the main causes of death among adults. She wondered if there were any reasons for that. Also, whether women were affected more frequently by the disease than men.
Experts further asked if there were any educational programmes to teach girls to "take care of their sexuality" so that they would be in a better position to say "no" to sex. They expressed puzzlement that while on the one hand the report said that majority of Namibians were Christians, on the other hand it noted that one in eight women lived in polygamous marriages. What was the Church's view about polygamy and what, if anything, was it doing to prevent it?
An expert expressed the hope that liberalizing abortion would also lift the taboo on sex and sexuality in Namibia. She asked for a breakdown of maternal mortality rate by age. The report stated that Namibian women were thought of merely as mothers, therefore, there was a need to look at their health in their entire life cycle. Women's health should be focused on in aspects other than the reproductive one.
Experts also wanted to know the rate of male infant mortality as opposed to female infant mortality. They wondered if there was a son preference in
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Namibia. Were sex selective facilities available? Also, why was the rate of abortions high when children outside wedlock were more or less acceptable? Experts also asked if the high rate of child mortality could be related to polygamous marriage.
Commenting on article 16, which spells out equality of women's rights in matters relating to marriage and family relations, an expert said the legal education of women was important so that they could choose civil marriage over customary marriage, which was detrimental to them. Also, the right of inheritance in customary law was very detrimental to widows. She wondered what made couples decide in favour of customary versus civil marriages.
Experts also wanted to know if the reform of civil marriage law would have any effect on polygamous marriages. How would the Married Persons Equality Act affect women in polygamous marriages? Further, experts wondered why polygamy was considered a sensitive issue. Even in countries where there was religious sanction for it, efforts were being made to tackle it. Then why was it not being addressed in Namibia? The Committee believed that it was an urgent matter to be addressed and since there was no religious sanction for it, it should be easier to tackle it.
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