By Lynn Komu & Nsozi Mwazi
Me Too Namibia was strongly birthed by a movement referred to as the powerful but controversial Slut Shame Movement and has been described as one of the first major African Me Too Movements. In a time of change it is important for every Namibian, regardless of gender understand what this means and how it functions. I caught up with Nsozi Mwazi, one of the founders of The Slut Shame movement for more.
The origins of The Slut Shame Walk
Nsozi Mwazi reached out to other feminists who are vocal about women’s rights, empowerment and promoting the end of rape culture. From there, there were volunteers and down the line the march began.
Why the name ‘Slut Shame Walk?’
The march symbolizes what victim blaming, since slut shaming is a form of victim blaming in itself. Inspired by Amber Rose’s Slut Walk, Nsozi wanted to add the word “shame” to give it the Namibian impact we needed.
Much of this shame comes from Namibian women, who have either slut shamed, have been slut shamed or slut shame victims of assault specifically. Controversial yes but if you get it you will not be bothered by the name. It’s time, to take power back, it’s time for us to take the word slut back.
I would also like to note that the movement is also for male survivors of sexual assault. You are valid, you matter and they are here for you.
The origins of Me Too Namibia
Me Too Namibia transpired when survivors of sexual assault were sharing their stories via The Slut Shame Walk Movement and Saima Akawa (affectionately known as ‘Kai’) and these stories were anonymously shared with the public.
The Slut Shame Movement has a segment called open stories where we share stories of survivors (with consent). It’s a safe space for them to name their (alleged) perpetrators, if they would like to. Or just to share their story. Either way, we [Me Too Namibia] would like to create a culture where women can warn each other of men that are abusers, rapists.
Mwazi aimed to create a space where women and survivors of sexual assault can have safe spaces for these kind of conversations so that other women do not fall victim to these same crimes by these same victims.
The office of the first lady then called us and inspired us to do something to enforce a system on how to work with victims of sexual assault can share their stories, or seek help. This help includes a stand by psychologist and legal team to help you with what you need.
If you or anyone who know has been sexually assaulted, you can contact The SlutShame organization and Me Too on +264 816212134 or on their various social media platforms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out. Your voice matters and together we can put an end to rape culture.
Nsozi On Walking The Walk
Passion transpires into what you do, it manifests into something physical. This is a form to fuel me along with other’s feminism. I was tired, I felt we need more spaces, so I made them. I want a space where we can talk as women because so many things are considered taboo. We are done remaining silent.
As women we don’t really have a sisterhood around us, and we need that, that’s important if we want to dismantle patriarchy. Most women are endowed to fight this battle, we can only do that through awareness and conversation. I can’t just sit and complain everyday without doing anything physical about it. It’s now or never. People need help and it’s tough out there and I feel like there is power in numbers, things may start out small but can turn into something big. I think it is important for us to know that we have power, we just need to know how to use it.
How Can the Average Person Support The Cause?
Awareness, awareness, awareness!
You don’t stop talking about it, we help each other. Unlearn and relearn. We have a tendency of ignoring problematic statements, it’s time we face it head on and say enough is enough. I think it is important that there are consequences when people say horrible, problematic things. We should learn who we associate with. As much as someone is good or intelligent they can still be misogynist, sexist, victim blamers. We need to unpack this because as much as we think people are aware, many are not. Through awareness is how we bring change. The public should engage by coming to all the talks, conferences, inviting friends and families, coming in numbers, just be ready to do your work. This is cost free by sharing on your social media platforms such as WhatsApp stories. Information is easily accessible, lets spread the right information. Let’s inform each other, let’s teach each other how to be better, it’s never too late.
Donations would be highly appreciated, help spread the word, the message and let’s work to create safe spaces for victims of sexual assault and not the perpetrators. You can contact them on their various social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Facebook @SlutShameWalk/@SlutShameNam & @MeTooNamibia and you can email them slutshamenam@gmail.com
How We Can All End Rape Culture?
Awareness.
We Also need to stop tolerating what’s happening around us because it isn’t directly happening to us. We need to start realizing that we should not only help people that we know or have access to, making sure it is a safe space for everyone. It’s important to know that just because someone in a situation unlike yours has been raped doesn’t mean that you too cannot end up being raped in a different set of circumstances. It’s important we acknowledge this boundary and stop tolerating rapists and rape culture. We need to make sure we shame them and make them uncomfortable because they are very comfortable in society!
Not with the means of violence but through shaming their acts, through cutting them off. This is important because the victims are very uncomfortable in society. Any small thing from a small scent to a look can trigger their entire trauma. Cases get dropped; files get ‘lost’. If the justice system won’t do by right by us, we need to do right by each other.
We should stop attaching women to their value, every victim is valid regardless of their circumstance. We need to be compassionate.
The Slut Shame Walk, Me Too Namibia along with other organizations come out and host talks for us to better understand the problems with rape culture in society and they give us the knowledge to empower ourselves to be better. Keep an eye out Make a point to attend these, take your family, take your friends.
Along with this I also kindly ask that you don’t rape or slut shame anyone, okay? Okay.
