Human Rights & Gender Justice

In celebration of World Pride, our Washington office recently welcomed our partners from Equal Namibia and Drag Night Namibia. This article features an inspiring conversation with Omar van Reenen, Co-Founder and Campaign Manager of Equal Namibia, during their visit to Washington, DC.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of our long-standing partner, Imam Muhsin Hendricks. May his legacy continue to inspire all those he taught, uplifted, and welcomed into his sanctuary of compassion, understanding, and love.

“A woman who is not financially independent cannot raise her voice against violence. In many cases, they stay because they depend on them.”

“We are in solidarity with all women who have been assaulted and are covering bruises under their makeup. We are carrying these bruises so that other women are not alone. I walked the journey alone and I made the promise that no other woman would walk the journey alone. “

“Women are more likely to disclose their HIV status than to disclose the fact that they were sterilised. You are still a woman even if you have HIV, if you are infertile, you are only half a woman - UyiNyumba (barren) – the worst derogatory label a woman can have.”

After years of protesting against Namibia’s anti-queer laws, the country’s LGBTQIA+ communities breathed a collective sigh of relief after a recent court victory, which ruled colonial-era sodomy laws unconstitutional.

Gun violence within abusive relationships is a subject that is all too familiar for anti-violence organisations and activists but seldom gets the public attention that it deserves. In February this year, HBF with its partners, Gun Free SA, MOSAIC & the National Shelter Movement of SA launched a new campaign that aims to strengthen the rights and safety of victims from gun-related domestic violence.

GBV shelters provide more than just a bed to sleep in; for many, shelters are a haven when the next step is death.  This 16 Days of Activism, the Western Cape Women's Shelter Movement, the provincial body of HBF partner the National Shelter Movement, highlight the expanded role of shelters in responding to and disrupting violence against women.