The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Health, and Social Welfare, during its workshop in Otjiwarongo, has heard that men are also victims of gender-based violence, saying there is a need for the government to provide physical, emotional, and social well-being to all Namibians.

The committee is meeting in Otjiwarongo to get a perspective from the community about GBV.

The workshop's main objective is to understand gender equality situations and identify challenges faced by service providers and where systems are failing.

"The workshop's main goal is to understand the real situation regarding gender; we would rather not start things we don't know. We have to bring them on board, and then they have to explain to us what their duties are, so with this, we are also there to learn about the programmes and policies currently in place by the government, ministries and other institutions and assess whether they are working or not," explained committee chairperson Nono Katjingisua.

Katjingisiua said the workshop will shape the parliamentary approach and assist members in clearly understanding the challenges faced and better equip the committee. 

Otjozondjupa Governor John ||Khamuseb said gender-based violence mainly affects women and children.

"While gender-based violence mostly affects women and children, men can also become victims; hence, a significant number of men experience GBV, including physical and psychological abuse, often perpetrated by intimate partners. However, men are often reluctant to report such incidents due to expectations that men should not be considered victims."

Unreported GBV cases, ||Khamuseb said, can lead to emotional distress and, in some instances, suicide.

He also added that to address gender-based violence and improve the healthcare system, there is a need for public awareness campaigns focusing on men as victims and strengthening healthcare infrastructures.