The Namibian Police Force recorded 4 814 gender-based violence (GBV) cases countrywide during the 2023/24 financial year, minister of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare Doreen Sioka has said.
In a statement read on her behalf at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV in the //Kharas region on Monday, Sioka said the Khomas region had the highest number of cases (758), followed by Erongo with 493 and Oshana with 463 cases.
“These statistics are distressing. As a nation we should be concerned, especially about the increased sexual abuse of children. In some cases, perpetrators are their biological fathers, family members or relatives, caregivers, and neighbours. These are people who are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting these children,” the minister said.
Sioka said the National GBV Baseline Study of 2017 indicated that the main drivers of GBV in Namibia include unequal power relations, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and negative cultural practices such as child marriage.
The study also revealed that the most common forms of GBV in Namibia are domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Sioka called for collective action from the public and private sectors, civil society, and communities, and urged survivors to seek help through the GBV protection units under the police.
“Let us encourage those who are suffering to seek help. Services are available at GBV Protection Units, which provide comprehensive services to GBV survivors and their families. Civil society and churches are also equipped to offer GBV-related services and importantly, to refer to GBV protection units,” said Sioka.
Also speaking was //Kharas Regional Council chairperson Joseph Isaacks, who said the number of women and girls lost to domestic violence in Namibia is high and requires immediate attention.
He called on men to end violence and discrimination within their families.
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV is an annual international campaign that starts on 25 November and ends on 10 December – international Human Rights Day and Women’s Day in Namibia. It focuses on addressing high rates of GBV
through advocacy, education, and support for survivors, promoting a culture of zero tolerance for violence.
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