Investment in digital literacy and online safety education, particularly for the children, is pivotal to navigate digital spaces responsibly.

Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) Emma Kantema therefore called on schools and the community to collaborate to equip the youth with necessary tools.

During the International Human Rights Day and Namibia Women's Day Commemoration at Katima Mulilo, the minister emphasised the need to unite and end digital violence against all.

"All forms of GBV and discrimination against women and girls, including digital violence, and including our boys, who we have seen are equally suffering from this violence, we need to ensure that our digital future is safe, where no woman or girl, man or boy is left behind."

Dr Kantema noted that the government has identified enabling sectors that will assist in growing the country's economy that would eventually make a dent in GBV incidences.

"We are looking at promoting the sectors of oil and gas, tourism and green energy; therefore, we are asking that we hold hands together because economic factors are some of the contributing factors to gender-based violence and some of the contributing factors to human rights violations," Kantema added.

In a speech read on her behalf, the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) Resident Representative Erika Goldson urged young people not to be passive victims in the fight against digital violence but to act as agents of change.

"We must equip them with a comprehensive understanding of their rights, their responsibilities and the necessary tools for digital safety and resilience."

Women's Action for Development (WAD) Executive Director Salatiel Shinedima called on the government to enact laws that can withstand future technological advancements.

"Now the question is, 10 years ago were we ready and prepared for Artificial Intelligence (AI)? So when we develop policies and legal frameworks, we must plan for the next 10 or 20 years when new technologies will come."