Rural women under the Namibia Rural Women's Assembly organization held a demonstration against gender-based violence at Ekamba Village in the Oshana Region.

The Assembly brought together women from the Oshana, Omusati, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions to sell their products and exchange business ideas.

The initiative is aimed at empowering rural women and bringing them under one roof to also discuss issues aimed at improving their living conditions and those affecting them.

The network further helps rural women to share knowledge, skills, and experiences to develop resilience and strength within their communities and ensure that they produce enough food.

This year, the event included the fight against gender-based violence, which has been on the rise in the country.

The women handed over the petition to a representative of Oshana Governor Elia Irimari.

"We, as rural women, are hereby stating and discouraging GBV in its entirety as it is practiced by others in the community. Old people are hacked by their own sons and daughters; young girls and women are being raped and killed every day; innocent children are dumped all over, and baby dumping is not the solution for unwanted pregnancies."

They say women are no longer safe, while their children are also at risk of being raped or kidnapped.

The women pledged to join efforts in the fight against GBV and called for stiffer punishment for the would-be offenders.

The Namibia Rural Women Assembly gives rural women a voice and empowers them to become independent and build unity within their communities.

"As for the youth, we know that unemployment is very high nowadays, so it is an opportunity for them to gain new skills. When you come to such an event, like the one inside where there are ladies busy making bags, baskets, or necklaces, it is an opportunity for them to gain those skills. When they leave this place, they will work with their hands, making necklaces or baskets, and then selling them to make money for themselves."