Reverend Nicole Ashwood of the World Council of Churches has urged the churches to engage with perpetrators of gender-based violence as part of a holistic approach to addressing the issue.

She shared the sentiments at the Gender Justice Consultation dialogue organised by the Council of Churches in Namibia and the World Council of Churches.

Reverend Ashwood noted that perpetrators of gender-based violence are often victims themselves and emphasised the need to support them in order to break the cycle.

"The cycle of sexual and gender-based violence is insidious, and it continues beyond, beyond, beyond, and into the next century. So we partner with our community workers, we partner with our grassroots activists, we partner with the government, we especially partner with the Ministry of Gender but alsowith the Ministry of Defence, and we seek justice to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book. But when the perpetrator is brought to book, we need to walk with that perpetrator and bring them back to humanity."

Attended by female pastors, women's societies, church leaders and female youth leaders, the dialogue was aimed at creating a sacred space where women, especially those shaped by faith, can speak, strategise and stand boldly together.

It also deliberated on breaking the silence that has too long been sanctified and confronting the gender-based violence that has too often been hidden behind ecclesial respectability and cultural norms.

Community activist Rosa Namises called on the church to take its rightful place in combating social ills, mainly by forming gender-based violence support groups and caring for the hurting.

The event was held under the theme "Raising a Prophetic Voice: Faith, Safety, and Solidarity.