Over 200 women, young and old, gathered in Windhoek for the Namibia National Women Conference.
The conference, which is the first of its kind, was organised by the Namibia National Men Conference under the theme "It is well, my darling—we are all in this fight against violence".
The day-long conference discussed the various contributing factors that lead to experiencing gender-based violence, youths, and sexual relationships for financial relief and looked at ways women can strive to become independent.
Businesswoman Sarah Elago, who was the patron at the event, emphasised the role women play in society, as they are the backbone of families and communities.
"Because our children forget who they are, their identity is lost, and they don't know who they are. Because they keep copying everyone. As they are babies, normally they wear the mother's long shoes and try to put their lipstick upside down, and that is why they are who they are today. Because they don't know who they are. And I want to tell you today, who are you? What is your identity? What is your life like? For me, you are a mother who needs to carry Namibia on her shoulders. You are a girl who needs to be proud of herself. Walking on the street and feeling your strength that I am, who I am, and what God has created."
She encouraged young women to find their identity while still at their tender age and choose their role models in society with a cognizant mind of who they want to be in the future.
"When you wear something and you dress your dress. Ask yourself, Who am I? Please, if you decide to be a prostitute, you will be one, because everyone will see you for you, and at the end of the day, you will find that people don't like you. If you want to be a married woman, dress like one, and if you want to be a first lady, be like a first lady. Your identity is yourself."
The founder of the Namibia National Men Conference and the organiser, Fillemon Amoolongo, popularly known as DJ Munene, says he only created a platform for women to engage in deep conversations that could put an end to the scourge, as both genders have equal roles to play in the fight against GBV.
"You will not escape it. Sometimes you say I can't, but still, something is coming to you. Do it. If you did not do it, who else could? That's why we are here, gathered here as one human family united by the son of African soil. Hailed from the humble beginnings of Oshimpungu shom'gongo, in Oshana Region, Ompundja Constituency. And I came to Windhoek to unite the whole Namibia to fight gender-based violence."