The Governor of the Kavango East Region, Hamunyera Hambyuka, officially activated the #EndGBVNamibia Campaign at Rundu.
The campaign encourages people to speak out against the social ill.
Gender-based violence is a social ill that affects individuals who, many times, suffer in silence.
Despite various efforts by the government and all stakeholders to address the problem, GBV remains prevalent.
"This campaign is also about starting honest and necessary conversations in our families, among our friends, relatives, comrades, peers, colleagues, neighbours, business partners, and everyone else to challenge harmful behaviours and beliefs about GBV and to work together towards ending it. We all agree that this event alone will not stop GBV. However, it can be a spark that ignites the fire. The fire to stop GBV in our communities."
Hamunyera announced that the campaign will expand to every corner of Kavango East after its activation.
According to statistics shared by the police, 42 cases of rape, domestic violence and immoral practices have been recorded since January.
Problematic areas include Sambyu, Ndiyona, Kayengona, and Divundu villages, as well as Kehemu, Sauyemwa, and Ndama locations in Rundu.
"Our investigations reveal that most domestic violence cases are always associated with drugs and alcohol, which, by law, is not an excuse to say, 'Because I am drunk, that's why I hit you.' It's not an excuse; it's a crime. Social impact and poverty are some of the reasons we mostly find school girls and boys under the age of 18 years dating an older person, rather than maybe an 18-year-old. The reason is always that they need food; they need toiletries, so this is one of the investigation findings. Jealousy is mostly associated with physical violence; it's an issue of boyfriend and girlfriend or husband and wife. The wife is cheating; the husband is cheating. Our investigation reveals that the reason was just jealousy, nothing else," said Detective Sergeant Asser Kavara, GBV Unit Commander at the Kehemu Police Station.
Councillor of Rundu Rural, Paulus Mbangu, educated attendees on human rights.
"In most cases in our society, the vulnerable people are easily reported, but when the case involves a high-ranking official, we put it under the carpet. What does the Constitution say? He will buy you a bag of maize meal. You eat, but then the trauma of that kid is for life. The mental injury to that victim is for life."