On Friday 7th March, over 60 young people from Otjimbingwe and Arandis urged Otjimbingwe community members to break the silence over domestic violence in a series of powerful artistic performances at the Otjimbingwe community hall.
Organised by the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO), the event marked International Women's Day. "International women's day was created with the intent of empowering women across the world." explained Ms. Maria Xoagus, the principal of Otjimbingwe Primary School, "it is therefore very important that we use this day to try and break the silence over domestic violence. If we don't speak out now no one will help us and the culprits will always be at large and will rape and kill and harass more and more women and innocent children." Sadly, Ms. Xoagus – a long time women's rights activist - was unable to attend the event due to other commitments, and her speech was read by Ms. Ester Jeomba of Da Palm Secondary school in Otjimbingwe.
Driving home the message to the 300-strong audience were poetry readings from learners at Otjimbingwe Primary School and songs, dramas and dances from AIDS awareness club members at Da Palm Secondary school as well as the Kolin Foundation Secondary School in Arandis. A notable highlight came from Melody Gases, a learner at the Da Palm Secondary School, who oozed with talent when performed a monologue that she had created herself.
As Ms. Elize Abner, a teacher at the Kolin Foundation commented, "the event was a great chance for our learners to exchange important ideas with learners and community members in Otjimbingwe. We are grateful that OYO organised this event and hope that we can be involved in their future events".
