First Gentleman Epaphras Ndaitwah has called for urgent address of rising Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the ||Kharas Region.

He said, although there has been some decline in overall crime in the region, GBV cases remain a cause for concern.

Ndaitwah made the remarks during the International Women's Day celebration at Lüderitz on Friday. 

Addressing the community at the event, Ndaitwah did not shy away from the harsh truths on crime in the region, describing it as a critical issue that needs urgent attention.

"Although there has been a 22.9% reduction in crime, the number remains unacceptably high; our work is far from over. The reduction we saw today must not make us comfortable, but it must motivate us to push harder to restore safety, security and trust in our communities. Behind every statistic is a mother who cries, a child who is traumatised and a family that is broken."

According to Ndaitwah, Lüderitz contributes the most crime to the region, citing crime data. Thirty per cent of cases are housebreaking and theft, 33% are robberies, and 33% are gender-based violence, he said.

"If you want Lüderitz to grow and thrive as a friendly and trusting destination town, with safety, hospitality and good community spirit, we need to roll up our sleeves and combat gender-based violence, crime and other social challenges affecting our community."

The regional councillor for ǃNamiǂNûs, Suzan Ndajaleka, called on the community to work together to break the silence of gender-based violence.

"We are here to discuss a critical crisis that affects us all: gender-based violence and the plague of alcohol abuse and drug abuse. These issues cannot be separated; they are toxic partners. If alcohol and drugs often fill the range, it leads to violence, and the trauma of violence often leads to substance abuse. Together they are tearing the fabric of our communities, ruining families and destroying the potential of our women and girls."

Ndjaleka further pleaded with the communities to have discussions about how to bring safety to families and children.