Frederick Philander
30 September 2008
Rehoboth — "Violence against women and children is unfortunately still increasing in the country," said the Inspector General of the Namibian Police when he officially opened the country's 15th Women and Child Protection Unit, in Rehoboth on Friday.
The day's programme offered a police march-past through the dusty town as well as active participation and performances by cultural school groups for the many invited guests.
"You might be aware of the fact the Namibian Police were the first force on the African continent to establish a Women and Child Unit way back in 1993 in Katutura. The establishment of this town's unit is a true manifestation of our commitment to the government policy of decentralization aimed at bringing services closer to the people," said Lt-General Sebastian H. Ndeitunga.
According to him the reasons for the increase in violence are debatable with diverse causes for it.
"Violent crimes committed against women and children range from murders resulting from domestic violence, rape, women and child abuse, etc. I have directed the Force Policy and Planning Directorate of the Namibian Police to conduct a study on the causes and possible solutions to these barbaric acts," he said.
The main aim of establishing women and child protection units in the country is to provide friendly and less traumatic surroundings for the unfortunate women and children falling victim of violence and other forms of abuse.
"A secondary aim is to provide education pertaining to women's rights and information on how to avert these types of crimes. We now have fifteen such units in all the 13 regions of the country. We continue to progressively strengthen the capacities of these units and establish more in the areas where such services are most required by vulnerable women and children," the police chief said.
The mayor of the town, George Dax, in his welcoming address said that the town's mothers and children are unfortunately constantly subjected and exposed to inhuman treatment by the men folk.
"These vulnerable groups are constantly exposed to such treatment as can be ascertained from the daily newspaper reports. I wish to express my gratitude to the Namibian Police for starting this Women and Child Protection Unit in our town," said Dax in formally announcing a contribution of 3 000 bricks and 30 bags of cement to the local police station for the construction of additional office space.
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