Namibian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on Saturday, October 10 before arresting dozens of protesters in the capital, Windhoek, on the third day of protests against violence against women.
Around 400 protesters, mostly young Namibians, marched to one of the capital's main shopping malls to secure its closure in order to send the message that the Namibian business also has a duty in combating violence against women .
This demonstration, led by young people and initiated on social networks, was quickly dispersed by the police who used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets.
"
This is a demonstration against violence against women and here we have women who are beaten during their arrest,
" protester Maria Amupolo told AFP, holding up a sign where
they were arrested.
could read "
we are tired
".
“
I saw it with my own eyes, they hit a girl before slapping her and pushing her into a van,
” she added.
Namibia, a mineral-rich country in southern Africa with high unemployment and high poverty, has grappled with the scourge of violence against women for years.
Windhoek records more than 200 cases each month, reported under the Domestic Violence Act.
Fewer cases of violence against women have been recorded during measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 with 175 reported monthly, Namibian police said.
Anti-feminicide protests erupted three days ago and are continuing across the country, including in the coastal town of Swakopmund and Otjiwarongo, north of Windhoek.
Protesters chant slogans such as “
no justice, no peace
”.
Protesters want President Hage Geingob to declare a state of emergency on violence against women and femicide.
“
A state of emergency has been declared for Covid-19.
Is it because it (the virus) also affects men, but since feminicide only affects women, it cannot be declared as a national emergency?
», Launched one of the organizers of the march, Bertha Thobias.
