Africa-Press – Namibia. HUMAN rights activist Rosa Namises has accused Namibian Police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga of “protecting patriarchy”.
Her comments follow Ndeitunga’s response to senior deployments in the force that excluded women.
Ndeitunga explained during last week’s announcement that deployment and promotions are not yet finalised.
“They (women) are angry because they are impatient and they are emotional. They should wait. The big wave is coming,” he said.
Namises asserted that this statement is immature.
“Tate Ndeitunga is … very insensitive and very emotional himself. Because that kind of comment is very immature, and is also based on emotion,” said Namises.
Namises questioned whether the work done by women, such as street patrols, dangerous missions searching for criminals, and being in charge of the Women and Child Protection Unit warrants their promotions.
“After looking at that service of women, officers like officer Christine Da Fonseca, van Zyl and other women officers have been placed in charge of missions and have been serving. Has he not learnt? Has he not picked up lessons? That’s why I say he’s very emotional and immature and protecting his own level of patriarchy.”
Popular Democratic Movement member of parliament Elma Dienda also questioned how long women must wait for their chance, and why the latest spate of promotions only involved men.
“For how long must we wait? Thirty-two years and you’re saying you’re still busy? Do you want us to wait another 32 years? Why is it not our turn now? Why only four men, why not two women and two men? Then you can say we must wait. We are doing things according to the Affirmative Action policy,” said Dienda, who also asserted that the police do not offer equal opportunities for women.
Another member of parliament, Winnie Moongo, asked for transparency around promotions of higher-ranking positions.
She said the true meaning of gender equality is giving all a fair chance to ascend professionally, academically and commercially.
“Ndeitunga needs to desist from making such remarks against female officers, as they are sexist and biased. Anyone who gets overlooked would become unhappy (male or female). There are hardworking women in the force and with the same capacity as their counterparts,” Moongo said.
Of the country’s 14 regions, only three are headed by female police commissioners, Elizabeth Sibolile (Ohangwena), Rauha Amwele (Oshana) and Johanna Ngondo (Kavango East).
Women in higher positions in the police include Air Wing Directorate commander Florentina Ndumbu, commissioner Elina Mafwila, head of the force’s human resources commissioner Hilma Tweya, and gender and welfare commissioner Monalisa Moleboge.
Most women in the police head subdivisions and units.
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