Maria David
THE Oshikoto Governor, Sacky Kathindi, has issued a strong call for Namibians to engage in serious conversations about gender-related issues to combat the pervasive social evil of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
Kathindi made these remarks on Friday during the activation of the #EndGBVNamibia campaign, held in Omuthiya.
The campaign is dedicated to educating the public, raising awareness, and fostering behavioural change across Namibia. It aims to empower individuals and communities to speak out and actively take a stand against gender-based violence.
“We must broaden our lens. We must create safe spaces for boys and men to speak out, to be heard, and to heal,” he said.
He added that people should also teach the boy-child that being strong does not mean suffering in silence. It means standing up for what is right, seeking help when it is needed, and treating others with dignity.
Kathindi urged those facing abuse, regardless of gender, to seek help, saying they are not alone.
He then encouraged all citizens to go back to being each other’s keepers.
“If you hear someone crying for help, do something. If you see abuse, speak out,” he added.
He expressed hope that the campaign would be more than symbolic, but the beginning of a real, lasting movement.
He encouraged everyone to take action: talk about gender-based violence in homes, include it in community dialogues and church gatherings, empower schoolchildren with education and open debate, support survivors (male or female), and hold abusers accountable.
Meanwhile, Omuthiya Mayor Beata Nashongo indicated that over the past years, the nation has witnessed increasing and deeply traumatising acts of violence, predominantly targeted at women and children.
She said that these acts strike at the very heart of their communities and pose a direct threat to the values they hold dear as a nation.
“GBV continues to threaten our collective safety, undermine societal values, erode our unity and national identity, hence our gathering here this morning,” she said.
Nashongo added that many women and children no longer feel safe in their own homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. This is a grave injustice. It is not reflective of who they are as a people, and it is certainly not the legacy they intend to pass on to future generations.
She then called on all Namibians to rise together and say, “enough is enough” to GBV.
