Maria David<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathindi made these remarks on Friday during the activation of the #EndGBVNamibia campaign, held in Omuthiya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe must broaden our lens. We must create safe spaces for boys and men to speak out, to be heard, and to heal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathindi urged those facing abuse, regardless of gender, to seek help, saying they are not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He then encouraged all citizens to go back to being each other\u2019s keepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you hear someone crying for help, do something. If you see abuse, speak out,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He expressed hope that the campaign would be more than symbolic, but the beginning of a real, lasting movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGBV continues to threaten our collective safety, undermine societal values, erode our unity and national identity, hence our gathering here this morning,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She then called on all Namibians to rise together and say, “enough is enough” to GBV.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":377229,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-377225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n