Gender roles take centre stage in parliament

National Assembly lawmakers yesterday disagreed on gender roles in marriages, with some saying women’s success demeans men, while others labelled this toxic masculinity.

This comes as a motion on long-distance marriages was discussed.

Parliamentarians Charmaine Tjirare and Emma Theofelus disagreed on the roles Namibian women play in relationships.

Tjirare said women often have to sacrifice their careers to move to where their partners are deployed.

She was responding to Theofelus’ questions on the role of women and men in running a household.

She said women run households, contrary to the perception that men do this.

“When I am at Okakarara with my uncles, I am not a member of parliament, I do not have the final say.

“Women need to take dominance and be recognised as significant members of society. I think this is where marriage roles clash . . .

Theofelus said women’s success, however, does not emasculate them.

“I think that is toxic masculinity… women for so long have been at the mercy of men. I think we should not allow such sentiments to continue, although we respect our traditional values,” she said.

The deputy minister said Tjirare’s comments could breed insecurity and toxicity in men.

Tjirare said she does not experience women as being at the mercy of men who are providers.

The debate revolved around family separation due to long-distance marriages and the psychological and financial disadvantages thereof.

Parliamentarian Patience Masua questioned the motion, saying the National Assembly has more pertinent matters to discuss.
“We can’t regulate people’s domestic affairs. The order paper is full,” she said.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata in September tabled a motion in parliament, asking the government to consider alternatives to the practice of redeployment to end long-distance marriages.

Jan van Wyk, also of the PDM, supported his motion, saying long-distance marriages have a negative impact on families, especially on children, he said.

Vam Wyk called on the Public Service Commission to review and amend all regulations pertaining to sending partners away for work.

“It is therefore very important for the government, which is the biggest employer, to implement workplace deployment policies, family-friendly employment practices and all the other suggested recommendations by the mover of this motion,” he said.

“When it involves leaving your family behind it is bittersweet. No matter how excited one may be to have a new professional opportunity, moving away from family for a job is never a fully joyous occasion,” Van Wyk said.