The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty, Eradication, and Social Welfare commemorated the belated International Women's Day under the theme "Invest in Women to Accelerate Progress."

The day was marked at Zilitene Area in Katima Rural.

Speaking during the commemoration, Zambezi Governor Alufea Sampofu stated that to build a more just and equal society, more investment is needed in women's leadership, health, education, and economic development.

Sampofu also urged state-owned enterprises and the private sector to invest in gender equality and women's empowerment.

Kavango West Governor, Sirkka Ausiku, has made a heartfelt plea to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, urging them to prioritise her region for poverty alleviation efforts.

Sirkka Ausiku made this appeal during the opening of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development's Annual Progress Review and Planning workshop in Nkurenkuru.

Kavango West was proclaimed a region about 10 years ago, separating its administration from Kavango East.

The region currently comprises just one central location, Nkurenkuru, and a single settlement, Katwitwi.

The San community residing in Mangetti Village, in the Kavango West Region, has accused officials from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare of failing to provide the necessary support.

Expressing their dismay to nbc News, the community members highlighted that hunger has become an everyday reality within the village.

Among the San families are the Tjilepas, a family of 14, including eight children under the age of 10.

A local church has decided to play its part in alleviating poverty and hunger by starting a food bank. 

Deeper Fellowship Church - Namibia has started the Give Hope Food Bank in Partnership with the City of Windhoek. 

Deeper Fellowship Church Namibia's Senior Pastor, Clive Willemse says the church decided to serve the City by feeding some of the many residents struggling to make ends meet. 

Willemse says the increase in food prices is making life very difficult for some households.  

Many Namibians are migrating from urban to rural areas in search of greener pastures, but the hope of finding employment is never possible.

nbc News reporter Stefan Uirab visited the town of Henties Bay, where many people are living below the poverty line.

Even in the heart of the town, shanty houses can be seen all around, some underbuilt with discarded materials, where the homeless live.

A third of the town's residents live in informal settlements with limited access to basic services such as water, electricity, and toilets.

President Hage Geingob says the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an appropriate occasion to reflect and renew commitments in the fight against poverty.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an international observance celebrated each year on October 17 throughout the world.

President Geingob declared war on poverty seven years ago, a move that has since seen the government initiate targeted programs to uplift the living standards of the poor.

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Every year, the day is celebrated not just for helping the poor, but also giving every human being the chance to live with dignity. 

Poverty is considered a violation of human rights and about 43.3% of Namibia's population is considered poor.

Namibian children suffer the most compared to adults, with hunger and malnutrition being the biggest threats.