Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry

By Marie-Evelyne Petrus Barry and Bience Gawanas
21 Oct 2021

Namibia’s parliament is debating reforms to the abortion law that would bring the country in line with international standards on sexual and reproductive health rights. Activists, medical doctors and public health experts are urging lawmakers to ensure that ‘every pregnancy in Namibia should be a wanted pregnancy’.

This past week, we have watched with great interest and hope as Namibia’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs held its first four days of public hearings on whether to reform its Abortion and Sterilisation Act of 1975.

Continued: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-21-care-and-compassion-over-colonialism-namibia-must-protect-women-and-girls-seeking-abortions/

Protecting Rights of Women

26/05/2020
Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry
Amnesty International Regional Director for West and Central Africa

Sir,

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world causing untold suffering and misery. Millions of people, particularly the elderly, have fallen critically ill; and thousands more, including health workers, have died after contracting the deadly virus.
....
Women, to a large extent, are more adversely affected than men by the crisis due to existing patriarchal norms and deep-rooted inequalities. They bear the heaviest burden of the outbreak because in their traditional roles as mothers and wives, they are responsible for ensuring that life goes on even as everything around them is falling apart.

Continued: http://www.times.co.sz/letters/128416-protecting-rights-of-women.html

Care and compassion over colonialism: Namibia must protect women and girls seeking abortions

Africa – Protecting Rights of Women