One of the basic challenges that faces Namibian society as it emerges from colonial times is the issue of inequality and the oppression of women and girls. The San girl-child is no exception in this regard. San women in Namibia are subject to low socio- economic status and the poorest rates of formal education. San girls who enrolled at primary school hardly make it to secondary schools because of their significantly high dropout rate. This is prevalent among girls in particular as a result of early pregnancies, marriages and other related factors. The practice of early marriage is still prevalent, despite the Namibian government’s efforts to address the issues of inequality and oppression of women. For example, article 10 of the Namibian Constitution that stipulates that all persons are equal before the law. It also prohibits any discrimination on ground of sex, race etc. Moreover, in spite of the adoption of some National Gender legal Frameworks and the signing of various regional and international gender instruments, barriers to gender equality, equity and education attainment for the San girl child remain in place. However, in Namibia as in many developing countries researches onto early marriage has largely been neglected and data on various aspects of early marriage is minimal. Hence, the study aimed to shed light on the impact of early marriages on the education attainment of the San-girl child in particular as well as to draw the attention of policymaker and the Omaheke region community attention tothese harmful traditional and socio- economic practices, such as early marriage. For my study on the perceptions of selected respondents of the impact of early marriage on the education attainment of the San-girl child, I used aqualitative research approach and employed a semi-structured interview technique as my main data collection tool. The study revealed that early marriage impacts negatively on the education attainment of the San girl-child and that this undermines the status of San girls and constitutes a barrier to gender equality and equity attainment in their lives.

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, IN THE PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN THE FIELD OF DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULATION STUDIES 17 September 2015 / Context: Generally, marriage has been early and almost universal phenomenon in Sub-Saharan Africa, and this can be seen as an important factor in determining fertility. However, fertility among never-married women is no longer negligible. Non-marital childbearing has increased, as women spend much of their reproductive lives unmarried, while remaining sexually active. Although a number of studies have examined non-marital childbearing, the exploration has been largely on teenagers and adolescent youths. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors predisposing never-married women aged 25−49 to have children. Methodology: This study was a secondary data analysis of the 2006-07 Namibian Demographic and Health Survey data. The study population was never-married women, aged 25−49, with a total weighted sample of 2,121. The dependent variable was never-married fertility, categorised into women who have had no birth and those who have had at least one birth. Age specific fertility rates were calculated using the TFR2 module. Bivariate and multivariate binomial logistic techniques were used to examine the association between independent variables of interest and never-married women’s childbearing experience. Results: The study showed that 79% of never-married women, aged 25−49, had at least one child. Respondents from poor households, less educated respondents, rural dwellers and women from the Herero ethno-linguistic group, were more likely to be never-married mothers. The odds of being a never-married mother increased with age. The results further showed that the likelihood for being a never-married mother was higher among those women who reported ever having used contraception. Furthermore, the results showed that delaying age at sexual debut decreases the probability of being a never-married mother. Conclusion: Childbearing among never-married women is common in Namibia, and with increasing age, the risk of having children outside of marriage increases. The consequences of never-married women’s childbearing should be studied, with a focus on the factors identified to influence their childbearing. Furthermore, policies and programmes addressing never-married women’s fertility should reflect the factors associated with never-married women’s fertility in a context where marriage levels are decreasing and fertility is happening outside of marriage.

This study focuses on the impact of HIV/AIDS on women in Namibia. Namibia, with a population of only 1.7 million people, is ranked as the seventh highest country in the world in terms of HIV/AIDS infections. The percentage of women living with HIV/AIDS in Namibia accounts for 54% of the total of 68 196 people in the country living with the virus. Women are also diagnosed with the disease at a younger age (30) in comparison to their male counterparts (35 years). Desoite their needs, women living with HIV/AIDS bear a triple burden of caring for those living with HIV/AIDS, caring for themselves and coping with the responses to their infection. There are few focused intervention strategies to support and care for women living with HIV/AIDS in Namibia.

This study focuses on the impact of HIV/AIDS on women in Namibia. Namibia, with a population of only 1.7 million people, is ranked as the seventh highest country in the world in terms of HIV/AIDS infections. The percentage of women living with HIV/AIDS in Namibia accounts for 54% of the total of 68 196 people in the country living with the virus. Women are also diagnosed with the disease at a younger age (30) in comparison to their male counterparts (35 years). Desoite their needs, women living with HIV/AIDS bear a triple burden of caring for those living with HIV/AIDS, caring for themselves and coping with the responses to their infection. There are few focused intervention strategies to support and care for women living with HIV/AIDS in Namibia.

Pre-eclampsia is a multi-organ system disorder that occurs after the 20th week of gestation in pregnancy and is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria with or with out oedema. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for the woman and her child. Based on surveillance data, pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Namibia. However, there is no depth study done in Namibia that looks at the extent of confirmed pre-eclampia and its contribution to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is also no standard management protocol currently recommended in Namibia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and quality of care given to pre-eclamptic patients treated in Windhoek Central and Katutura referral hospitals in Namibia within the period of January 2003 to December 2004.

Pre-eclampsia is a multi-organ system disorder that occurs after the 20th week of gestation in pregnancy and is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria with or with out oedema. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for the woman and her child. Based on surveillance data, pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Namibia. However, there is no depth study done in Namibia that looks at the extent of confirmed pre-eclampia and its contribution to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is also no standard management protocol currently recommended in Namibia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and quality of care given to pre-eclamptic patients treated in Windhoek Central and Katutura referral hospitals in Namibia within the period of January 2003 to December 2004.

Thesis ((M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) --University of the North, 2002 / Violence against women ts a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which has led to the domination of women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women. It is an old phenomenon that was kept secret, and people pretended that the problem did not exist. It wasn't until the feminist activists openly addressed the issue of inequality that included women's lack of rights and low status within marriage and society as well as battering that the taboo topic was changed into a subject extensively investigated. Extensive research on the topic now exists. As is the case in many developing countries, research on violence against women in Namibia is relatively rare. Research regarding the mental health consequences of abuse is virtually non-existent. It is to this area of research that the present study addressed itself. This study aimed at describing and determining the mental health consequences of battering to which Namibian women are subjected. The study followed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Qualitative research used in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The measures utilized was an Abuse Disability Questionnaire (ADQ). A demographic questionnaire identifying battered women variables was also utilized. A total of 60 battered women were surveyed and all 60 women completed the questionnaires. In quantitative methods, data were analysed in terms of descriptive statistics. In qualitative methods, closely related data were grouped together under specific titles to serve as categories. The results indicated that Namibian battered women endure physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. The results has shown that age, education, religion, employment status and marital status do not matter. Women are still being battered. The results also indicated that Namibian battered women are indeed subjected to various negative mental health consequences.

This thesis focuses on the concerns of rural and urban women living with HIV/AIDS in the Walvis Bay area. The development of effective pastoral care and counselling models in the study of Walvis Bay women is the approach of this thesis. It is an interpretation, from a women's perspective within the Walvis Bay tradition of their status, role, culture and experiences. The purpose of my research, is to try to address women's crisis of HIV/AIDS through pastoral care and counselling. It is my hope that the women of Walvis Bay area will regain their dignity, that they will be empowered and the interaction between healing, sustaining, guiding and reconciling models will be implemented as a tool to deal with their crisis. Although this study focuses on the women in the Walvis Bay area, the questions and sufferings concerning the issue of HIV/AIDS is similar in the rest of Namibia. The main emphasis of this study is in chapter five and six. Chapter five discuss reconciliation and the dynamics of the process of social reconciliation with the women in Walvis Bay contracted with HIV/AIDS. This includes the uncovering of the truth of HIV/AIDS, the destroying of the narratives of lies and the establishment of the reality of the spread of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Chapter six discusses the need for effective models of pastoral care and counselling for urban and rural women in Walvis Bay. By doing so it will transform relationships in trust, harmony and peace. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Many women today, irrespective of their colour, race, age or religion, are being raped and some brutally killed by their rapists. The rape crisis increases daily and that shows that women are not even safe in their homes because they live in fear of their lives everyday. In this research paper I will try to examine the issues surrounding rape that contribute to the increasing of this crisis of the women living in Khorixas. There are sociological, economic, psychological and cultural issues that contribute to the rape crisis. The social issues that contribute to the rape of women contributed to the fact that most men abuse alcohol, some of the men are unemployed, and most of the people live in poverty. The economic condition of women is weaker than that of men. Most are unemployed and those who are working are domestic workers who earn a salary wage below the poverty line, and are, therefore, economically dependent on their husbands and boyfriends. Some of the men who live in Khorixas experience psychological problems such as hatred, desolation, loneliness and aggression. These psychological problems contribute to the fact that the rapists can closely identify sex with violence. In most cases, men show their masculinity by raping women. In the Damara culture the man is the head of the family. The woman is a submissive wife who is to take care of the children. Traditional women are unable to attack the power of the customs, therefore, the men keep them in an inferior and subordinate position. That is why the women are not speaking out against the rape that is committed. The purpose of my research is to try and address this rape crisis among the Damara women living in Khorixas. The research is pastoral and it is a challenge to the ELCRN to serve the vulnerable women who are the survivors of rape. The church can launch awareness programmes and also educate its members in moral sexual behaviour. Through pastoral care and counselling the pastor can assist the rape survivor to regain her dignity. Furthermore, the pastor can use the ABCD method of counselling to build up a relationship of trust between him or her and the rape survivor so that the survivor can feel comfortable in telling her story or the experiences of her rape. A further purpose of this research paper is to advise women to seek help and to speak out against rape and not to be silent on this issue. The central focus of this study lies in chapters four, five and six. Chapter four explores what the church can do about the crisis and the responsibility of ELCRN towards its members with regards to the moral sexual behaviour of members. Chapter five discusses the prevention necessary and the precaution any methods women need and the necessity of rape survivors understanding rape as a crime and reporting it to the police. Chapter six explores and validates the use of the ABCD method of crisis counselling by the counsellor to support the rape survivor in coping with the crisis. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This study emerged from the high prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS infection among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has no exception to Namibia. Women have been vulnerable to HIV and AIDS let alone on sex related issues since the epidemic emerged, but not research has been done specifically to Okalongo women. The way in which women vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infection were explored by examined social and cultural identities that affect women’s sexual relations in negotiating sex and safe sex. Qualitative study on a sample of fifteen women was conducted in Okalongo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the conceptions and experiences of women in negotiating sex and safe sex with their husband and partners. Feminist theory guided the methodology and analysis of data. I assumed that gender roles andsexuality are socially constructed, shaped by religion, social, political, and economic influences and modified throughout life. Feminist theory assisted in documentary the ways in which the female’s gender and sexuality in Okalongo is shaped by cultural influences and by institutions that disadvantage female and other oppressed groups by silencing their voices. The feminist further guided the discussion of the contradicting messages about women’s sexuality and their experiences, as women complied, conformed and even colluded with their oppression. To address the issue under study, the primary analysis of data from the focus group discussion and individual interview were utilised. The following themes were the heart of analysis: Women Positionality, Normalisation and Compliance, Women Agency and Male Dominance Power, Women Perceptions of Risk, Sex Education in and out of school among Women.In this study the data suggested that women in Okalongo are more vulnerable to their lack of assertiveness, as they have difficult in developing an authoritative voice, they tend to be humble about their achievements and knowledge and to only assertively when concerned about others. The findings supported the literature that women’s vulnerability is strongly influenced and tied by broader forces present in the society. Women’s vulnerability is real and needs to be tackled for any progress to occur in the fight against AIDS. Until factors that constraints and enabling women agency to negotiate sex and safe sex acknowledged and addressed, women will continue to succumb to the HIV pandemic.