Naming and shaming is the order of the day.
While there has been subtle attempts for victims exposing their abusers, nothing has been quiet intense as what transpired on NamTwitter since yesterday. This has lead to a full scale campaign through which people have boldly come out to confront their abusers in a safe space set up on social media.
A slumbering Namibia found itself wide awake on when its own version of the #Metoo campaign hit them straight in the face.
What started as a casual post on Twitter has left many reeling with shock as many found relatives or even their own sexual partners implicated.
Within minutes her TL was flooded with rape and harassment allegations by other people who shared their experiences. One person said the same guy tried to force himself on her last year with a post that read:
“And literally took my hand and tried to MAKE me touch his dick I’ve never been so disgusted by a male in my life.”
Another tweep shared how someone forced him on her, biting her above her breast and said: “you know you like it dirty.”
In support @AllyTheJedi broke her “4year hiatus to say me too”.
@RuthHerunga2 However cautioned by tweeting
“Ladies I’ve read your DM’s and the stories posted on Twitter, it’s utterly disturbing. May I ask you to open cases, have a C R number (to protect yourself against civil claims) even if you struggle with the police open a case before naming & shaming someone.”
@romeluskug said
“And let them have their facts right some just bring up shit from past hurt.”
This once again reaffirmed the fact that Namibia, a country plagued by gender-based-violence, is not ready for this confrontation. Recently Dr. Veronica Theron said a #Metoo campaign is very necessary for Namibia to interrogate the sexual and gender-based abuses but she wasn’t sure that Namibia us ready for it.
the First Lady of Namibia has offered a safe space for counselling and support through her office.
