Officials from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and organisations dealing with gender-based violence in the Zambezi Region agree that a lack of infrastructure, equipment, and human resources are some challenges that need immediate attention.

The roleplayers presented these challenges to the parliamentary standing committee on gender equality, social development, and family matters at their engagement on gender-based violence and femicide in Katima Mulilo on Monday morning.

These challenges, Detective Warrant Officer Harris Mwangu revealed, have contributed to a backlog of over 700 gender-based violence cases.

A lack of safe houses for gender violence victims and victim-friendly court houses were some of the other challenges that were also highlighted.

The parliamentary standing committee is on a two-day visit to the region to meet with community members in Katima Mulilo, Ngoma, and Sachinga and hear recommendations on the matter before proceeding to the Kavango East Region on Thursday.