Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Covid-19 outbreak has restricted the world from practicing the most basic human rights, said Sheila Roseau, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country representative, at the commemoration of International Human Rights Day and Namibia Women’s Day recently at Katima Mulilo.
Roseau said before the pandemic, humans took things like leaving home, shopping for groceries, travelling and spending time with friends for granted. “The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated the vulnerability of the least protected and marginalised in our societies. The ongoing crisis associated with the pandemic has put human rights and other international legal protections under extra pressure,” she said.
As the world is dealing with the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that all responses to the pandemic are shaped by a respect of human rights, she said.
“It’s important to be aware of the state in our country and take a step to fight against what’s wrong, so human rights are intact and served for the right the right purpose. Let us stand up for human rights for everyone, everywhere.”
Also, in attendance was Women’s Action for Development executive director Salatiel Shinedima, who noted that it’s disheartening to observe how women and children continue to bear the brunt of terrible human rights violations in the country, despite progressive legal frameworks.
“Our women and children do not feel safe and free in an independent Namibia. Their fundamental rights and freedoms are violated daily, even little babies are not spared,” he said, calling on Namibian men to protect and uphold the rights of all women and children.
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