Transition Towards Gender Equality. Namibia Between the Empowerment of Women and Violence of Men

Worldwide, Namibia ranks high regarding gender equality. However, many women are intimidated by violence perpetrated by men. This book is based on a social anthropological field research in the small town of Outjo, situated in Northern Central Namibia, over a period of 14 months. Gender is learned, lived and reproduced in a societal frame. Violence against women, too, is perpetrated by men in a societal context. By using mainly qualitative research methods Sonja Gierse-Arsten looks at male and female perspectives to achieve a holistic understanding and to provide a basis for sustainable changes towards equal gender relations. She traces the transition from a hierarchical gender system during colonial times to the aspired equal gender relations in present Namibia. Current challenges characterized by poverty and great economic inequalities form the framework in which gender is performed and violence perpetrated. This study offers inspiration to re-think gender to achieve substantive gender equality and to overcome the normalization of violence.