Young girls at Otjiwarongo say a lack of support from families in meeting their daily needs renders them vulnerable.

Girls from Orwetoveni Primary School celebrated Girl Child Day at Otjiwarongo.

The day is meant to promote the protection of girls in society against the increasing violence perpetrated by men.

Otjozondjupa Governor, James Uerikua, says his region will dedicate resources to support girls in this regard.

"We are denouncing violence against girls in Namibia. We are promoting strong support that everybody is doing in their little corner, and supreme of all is the FAWENA. FAWENA was established in 1992 with the sole purpose of ensuring that they increase access to education, which is quality education, they improve the retention and eventually increase the skills of the girl child, for them to be able to unlock their growth potential."

Uerikua says violence against the girl child by those supposed to protect them is frightening and therefore cannot be taken lightly.

Orwetoveni Primary School pupils called on fellow children to speak out against these social ills, and on boys to respect their female counterparts.

"Girls are no longer free; we fear even walking freely in our own towns because we don't know what might come. My advice to the girls and myself is that we must not be scared to speak about things that we know might affect our lives or maybe our education. If you know someone that you can talk to about this, speak up, because if you don't, they will not know what is going on, and won't be able to help you."

"I say that men should help women to stand together and not give them too much responsibility for them to do things alone, but enough so that they can feel respected enough to plan their own future property."

Girl Child Day was declared in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly.