The Ministries of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and of Information and Communication Technology on Wednesday launched a campaign to raise awareness and combat gender-based violence nationwide.

The programme themed 'hashtag End GBV Namibia was launched at the UN Plaza in Katutura.

The First Gentleman, Epaphras Ndaitwah, who officiated at the event, emphasised the importance of the campaign, stating that all genders feel the pain of gender-based violence.

"The way I also understand it is that it is not a one-way traffic; it is a two-way traffic. Because it can be committed by either side, either gender, it is not women-based violence" or gender-based violence".

The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said the initiative is a social behaviour change communication campaign, designed to spark honest conversation about ending gender-based violence .

"I reflect on when I came across the term gender-based violence; I also came across the term femicide and 'women-based violence at the time when we tried to coin the language Paul was talking about to describe this phenomenon that is happening to not only women but also men, girls and boys in our society, and that the word becomes clear about what abuse means and what it looks like. This is an example of abuse."

Also speaking at the event was Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Emma Kantema.

"As a ministry responsible for gender equality and welfare, we have been leading this fight. We have strengthened survivor support services, we have established specialised policy unity in every region in partnership with Nampol, we have trained free workers for social services to know enforcement and engage the community to build awareness and resilience, we have embraced all digital platforms and trustful voices to deliver clear messages against the violence, and violence against any person is unacceptable."

Germany's Ambassador to Namibia Dr. Thorsten Hutter says the event reflects commitment to end violence, mostly perpetrated against women and girls in particular.

"Gender-based violence tears our family apart and leaves deep scars that carry on to generations, and we must put an end to it, and Namibians should live in safety, dignity and respect."