Women and men across the country today participated in the National Women's Shutdown Namibia, a coordinated silent lie-down held in solidarity with Women for Change in South Africa. 

The 15-minute standstill called on the government to declare gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster.

In Windhoek, many gathered behind the People's Primary School, dressed in black and lying flat on the ground in total silence to honour the women and children who were lost to femicide. 

The organisers stressed that Namibia records an average of over 5,000 cases of GBV and femicide annually, underscoring the urgency of today's demonstration.

Unlike previous forms of protest, today's shutdown did not include marches. Instead, the silent lie-down served as a symbolic withdrawal from society, aiming to convey the gravity of the crisis without confrontation. 

Sympathisers expressed a collective call for accountability and a demand for decisive action to curb rising cases of GBV.

The organisers say today's turnout sends a powerful message of solidarity and a renewed call for urgent policy action.

The standstill was held at meeting points across all 14 regions.