Erongo Governor Neville Andre says despite commendable achievements in human rights and gender equality, Namibia still faces persistent challenges in terms of gender-based violence.

At least 32% of Namibian women are said to have experienced physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner at some point.

To remedy the situation, Andre plans to establish a regional gender-based violence (GBV) task team with different stakeholders on board.

Andre says GBV is the most pervasive yet least visible human rights violation in the world.

Seven youth social enterprises are to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to sexual and reproductive health matters.

The recipients were selected from among 170 applications received by the Office of the First Lady and the United Nations Population Fund.

The competition was the brainchild of Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Emma Theofelus, following her being awarded the UN Population Laureate this year for her work in the population space.