The Break Free Anti-violence campaign hosted response training for front-line service providers and student representatives.

The campaign aims to provide a platform for Namibians to actively and meaningfully contribute to reducing violence in the society

The training will also focus on increasing knowledge and understanding of Gender-Based Violence and femicide as well as impart skills on response to GBV cases and preventing measures.

Ben Schernick, a gender specialist gave an overview of the training. 

"Violence gained from the past, particularly with culture religion, and the norms. We will also look at differences between where it shows in society and how we can get out of abusive relationships. How we can see the warning and the red flags, sign around those abusive relationships or any other situation where GBV occurs."

Schernick noted that it is fundamentally important to strengthen the capacity beyond emotional support by assisting the front-liners such as social workers.

He also added that the training is not enough to stop the violence, adding, the country needs more social workers and life skills teachers.

"It is definitely not enough I think even the lack of people in the social helping professions like social workers and life skills teachers do not have enough in the country. This is crucial to reach out on how to prevent."

Pefimbo Shipunda a Senior Social Worker at the One Economy Foundation said change is a process and it requires time, and the training will help to reduce GBV cases.

"At least the training and all that we training to strengthen the response team when it comes to your psycho health. I think with that also strengthen we will see a lot of reduction because people still think they can get away with it will help reduce incidents and they will see that there are consequences but it might take some time."