Erongo GBV campaign reaches more than 150 women

**Linekela Halwoodi **

SWAKOPMUND – More than 150 women employed by the Erongo Regional Council and government ministries across the Erongo Region participated in a gender-based violence (GBV) prevention engagement held in Omaruru, Karibib and Swakopmund from 6 October, aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence, promoting healthy relationships and educating women on legal protection mechanisms.

The engagement, held under the Employee Workforce Wellness Programme, started in Omaruru before moving to Karibib and concluding in Swakopmund.

The initiative brought together women from different government ministries to discuss GBV prevention, healthy relationships, effective communication, conflict resolution and anger management.During the opening in Omaruru, Omaruru Constituency Councillor Hendrina Gebhardt called on women to promote respect, dignity and equality in their homes, workplaces and communities.

Gebhardt said preventing gender-based violence required collective commitment and stressed that disagreements should never be used to justify violence or abuse.

“Gender-Based Violence remains a serious concern that requires the collective commitment and involvement of all of us,” she said.

She encouraged participants to engage actively in the discussions, support survivors of abuse and familiarise themselves with their rights and the services available to protect them against violence. A key component of the engagement was a presentation by Warrant Officer Abed of the Namibian Police Force’s Gender-Based Violence Protection Sub-Division in Erongo on protection orders under the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, Act 4 of 2023.

The presentation explained how protection orders can help safeguard people in domestic relationships from violence and prevent further abuse.

Participants were informed that applications for protection orders could be made at the nearest police station or magistrate’s court.

The presentation also outlined circumstances in which designated individuals, with the complainant’s consent, may apply on behalf of a victim.

The measures that may be included in protection orders range from prohibiting direct or indirect contact with the complainant to requiring the surrender of weapons and, where applicable, the alleged abuser’s removal from a shared household.

The presentation further highlighted the role of the police in assisting complainants, recording incidents, explaining victims’ rights and enforcing protection orders.

The three-town engagement formed part of broader efforts to equip women with knowledge and practical information to recognise, prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

By bringing together more than 150 women, the programme provided a platform for awareness and discussion on promoting safer homes, workplaces and communities across the region.

*Linekela Halwoodi is an Information Officer at MICT in Erongo.

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