The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare plans to set up more gender-based violence protection shelters across Namibia.

Minister Emma Kantema stated that currently, gender-based violence shelters are available in only eight regions; therefore, a strategic expansion of safe houses across all regions is planned, as this service is recognised as essential. 

"Therefore, our plan is to expand to the other regions where we currently do not have shelters. To address these gaps, the Ministry has allocated a dedicated budget vote towards shelters with plans to expand safe houses into regions that are lacking this facility."

She said the ministry is also working towards establishing an integrated GBV monitoring and evaluation system to track, analyse and improve efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

"The primary purpose is to move simply from counting cases and to instead understand what works and for whom and why. The system will help the government to collect credible data and build evidence for policy development and evaluation. It will also demonstrate government interventions and programmes implemented, and it will also enhance our accountability as custodians of government resources."