Women attending the 2nd Rural Women Parliament in the capital this week say they are saddened and disturbed by the killing of Mirjam Nandjato, who was decapitated by her boyfriend at Oshakati on Tuesday afternoon.
Hansina Christian from the Hardap Region said that as mothers, they have sleepless nights, fearing for their daughters.
“We have sons and daughters who are engaged in relationships. Today is another woman, but tomorrow it could be my child who has taken someone’s life or vice versa.”
She suggested that the nation should turn back to God for salvation and set aside a day to fast and pray.
Christian said every second day there is a murder story about a woman who is killed by a man who is in a relationship with her and should be protecting her.
Maria Johannes from the Otjozondjupa Region said the killing of Nandjato touched them as women.
“We didn’t sleep. Her killing has affected our thoughts and moved us. We pray that the Lord changes the thoughts of men and turn men around,” she said.
Johannes said men are now like lions among women.
“We thought they were our fathers, but they are lions among us,” she said, adding that many of passion killing incidents are fuelled by drugs. A participant from Khomas Region, Noriene van Wyk, said: “A man gets angry and kills. It’s terrible and sad to know that such things continue to happen. It takes your breath away and not a month goes by without hearing that such things have happened.”
She suggested that the courts impose stricter punishments on the culprits.
The National Council vice-chairperson Margaret Mensah-Williams organised the Rural Women Parliament so that participants come together and debate various issues of concern, such as baby dumping, women empowerment, gender-based violence, human trafficking and other social issues.
This year topics also included the reduction of the country’s child mortality rate and improving maternal health.