Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has called on communities to restore cultural and moral values as part of efforts to combat gender-based violence and other forms of criminal activity.

Hamutumwa made the call during the National Prayer Day at Odibo St. Mary Anglican Parish.

Odibo St. Mary Parish was packed to capacity as church and national leaders gathered to observe the National Prayer Day.

Hamutumwa said society had moved away from cultural norms and beliefs that traditionally promoted respect and responsible behavior, contributing to social challenges such as GBV.

"We must go back to cultural norms and values that are collected for us; we must not adopt cultural norms and values from the West and say they are collected that is development, that is not development."

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, also emphasized the importance of cultural values in addressing GBV.

"In the beginning and in the past there was nothing like boyfriend and girlfriend. You will never stay with someone's daughter without parents' permission. You could never come and say we are not married; we are just cohabitating. She is just staying with me, but she is not my wife, nor is she my husband. Because of that understanding, abuse comes in because she cannot respect him as required, and she is not my husband; she is just staying with you, doing what."

Ohangwena Police Commander Ottilie Kashuupulwa stated that the region continues to experience high levels of crime.

"GBV cases are topping in the region and actuary in the country. I am requesting all of us to come together as a team to have that good relationship with the community with the police. To do it, we are always in the community. We just finished the GBV campaign; it went well and was attended to. I want us to continue; I want us to unite."

The church further called on communities to treat boys and girls equally, saying equal treatment of children can help discourage dominance and attitudes that contribute to gender-based violence.

"We have come to trust him to ask him so that he can give us when you ask and do not receive because of the wrong motive. Let's be careful not to ask with the wrong motive, and he cannot answer us if there is a barrier between us and him. Let's first repent and repent and turn around and make a deep commitment so that we can make a permanent shift from abusing each other," said Reverend Canon Justina Hulukiluah of Odibo St. Mary Anglican Parish