One contributing factor to domestic and gender-based violence is a lack of knowledge about marriage.

This was shared by the Namibia Marriage Council's Executive Director, Paulus Hawanga. 

The Namibia Marriage Council is a faith-based organisation established seventeen years ago that was brought to life by several social issues, including gender-based violence as well as domestic violence.

The function of the organisation is to ensure that there are well-established, stable, and healthy families.

Its Executive Director, Paulus Hawanga, said since its existence, the organisation has facilitated programmes speaking to healthy marriages and their advantages, and the response from the community has been commendable.

Hawanga said the problem is not the different types of unions people choose to be in but a lack of knowledge to sustain them. 

He further emphasised the importance of culture and tradition in sustaining a healthy marriage and lamented its neglect in modern times.

Namibia Marriage Council offers various programmes, including relationship enrichment, marriage enrichment, family support, and charity work.