The Office of the Ombudsman, in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Namibia-Angola, hosted a three-day training on access to justice and the legislative framework at Ondangwa in the Oshana Region.

The workshop discussed the combating of gender-based violence, trafficking of persons, child care and protection, crime, Wills and Estates, community courts, and investigation of maladministration and human rights violations.

The workshop follows a request by Oshana Governor Elia Irimari as part of the Ombudsman's office outreach programme and was attended by human rights activists, legal services, traditional leaders, law enforcement agencies, and social workers.

"It covered a broad subject matter that affects the communities. We have representatives from three traditional authorities, Uukwambi, Ondonga, and Oukwanyama, so we brought experts who are presenting the subject matters that matter a lot in their communities," said Ombudsman, Advocate Basilius Dyakugha. 

Regional councils, though invited, did not attend the workshop, to the disappointment of the Ombudsman.

Dyuakugha commended the law enforcement agencies' participation in the workshop to educate attendees on human trafficking and how to identify such elements.

Health officials raised a concern about the 'unbecoming' behaviour of some fellow workers who violate patients' rights to confidentiality.

This has now forced patients to travel a long distance to be treated at health facilities where they are unknown.

The training is planned for other regions, depending on the availability of funds.