The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) in the Kavango East Region has recently held information-sharing sessions aimed at sensitising the communities on gender-based violence.

This follows the national launch of the #EndGender-BasedViolenceCampaignNamibia, "which was launched in Windhoek a month ago.

Information Officer at the MICT Kavango East office Belinda Kulatau says the sessions highlighted and emphasised the campaign goals, which, among others, are to encourage open dialogue and encourage GBV victims to speak out.

The gathering was also urged to report GBV acts instead of turning a blind eye, which has been the case in some cases.

The team further discovered some challenges facing the communities.

"Throughout this campaign, we did discover that some community members are complaining that they try to report these cases, but they are often turned away, especially when it has to do with domestic affairs, and some men also, so to say, are being singled out and being told, You are a man, so why are you not handling your affairs at home?. So, they are also saying it's discouraging, and that's one of the reasons why they are not reporting these cases."

Station Commander at Ndiyona Police Station Warrant Officer Maria Shampapi called on the community not to fear when reporting GBV cases.

"Whenever such incidents are happening in your homes or even at your neighbours, you should not fear to report to the police station. We also solve family affairs at any given time."

MICT Kavango East also spoke to some community members who noted that one of the challenges they face is a shortage of social workers within their communities and the distance they travel to reach the police stations.

"We are requesting that they bring back the police station in our community, because the distance between Sambyu and Rundu police station is about thirty-five kilometres, which is too far for one to wait for the police to arrive on time and rescue the victims of GBV crime. The only police station around here is at Mupapama, which is very far, just like going to Rundu," says Steven Napenda.

Resident of Kayengona Village, Kamwanga Shiremo, said, "On issues of reporting GBV cases, my concern is on false allegations, especially when it comes to women. Even when it's just a minor incident, she will go and report the man. Immediately after reporting, they will come and arrest the man. But, if for instance I go and report a similar case, I will be told by the police to wait for assistance, which in most cases does not happen. You will just be there waiting forever. But why do they treat women differently from how they treat men? The government should come up with strict laws that protect men, similarly to how it protects women."

Through the information-sharing sessions, the hope is to achieve visible positive change in attitudes pertaining to gender-based violence within the communities.