While worrisome statistics show that women continue to suffer from gender-based violence despite progressive laws in place which are meant to protect them, these statistics do cast a shadow over the numbers indicating that men do also suffer at the hands of women.
During the year 2021 some 41 men were raped by women. While 20 men were killed by women.
And 1,054 cases ranging from attempted murder, common assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily hard, and malicious damage to property were reported to the police by men against women during the same period.
On the other hand, 477 women were raped by men, while 31 women were killed by men during the same period, and 3,499 cases ranging from attempted murder common assault, indecent assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily hard, and damage to property were reported by women against men.
During the same period 577 children were raped, and 8 children were killed.
In total 4,100 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reported to the police.
These statistics were revealed by Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo in a speech read on his behalf by Oshana Police Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV in Ongwediva last Friday.
Police Commissioner Sakaria stated that men do suffer from GBV as much as women.
“As I said to the men who were here during the past few days attending the National Men’s Conference, yes you’re a man. But if you experience GBV you must visit the police, and they will attend to you.
“The police can attend to you in a private space. We are not going to laugh at you if you’re beaten by a woman, of course we don’t know how big the woman is,” Sakaria said. “Any police officer who will laugh, he or she will face consequences.”
Sakaria also had a message for women. “Women, your tongue is a dangerous weapon. Some women when they are angry will say such things to their husbands or boyfriends as ‘Look at my child, does s/he look like anyone in your family?’
“Let’s refrain from this kind of language.
“Fellow men, let’s exhibit positive masculinity in our homes and community. It’s okay not to be okay, it’s okay to cry, and give yourself time to heal.”
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV, which started on 25 November under the theme ‘UNITE! Activism to end violence again women and girls’, will end on 10 December.
In the photo: Oshana Police commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria.
