Monika Amunyela
The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) officially launched its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign for 2025 in Okahandja, bringing creativity, awareness and mobile health services directly into the community.
The initiative is supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Orange Babies. It aims to educate Namibians while offering free health services.
OYO director Philippe Talavera said the campaign uses creativity as an expression to start meaningful conversations which average Namibians need to engage in.
The OYO dance troupe leads the afternoon programme, followed by film screenings and open community discussions.
“The community is part of the discussion. They are actively engaged, not just sitting in front of a TV. If you feel, maybe you will react, and you will change,” said Talavera.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services with the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) set up mobile clinics that offered free HIV testing, family planning and primary healthcare to people aged 15 and above. Kenneth Kamwi, senior project coordinator at WBCG, explained their mission.
He said, “We are bringing services closer to the community, targeting underserved groups such as truck drivers, young people and those far from public health facilities”.
Community members say the event has brought much needed awareness.
Okahandja resident Renathe Ndafomuenyo said the programme helps young people understand risks they face daily. “Most of the things happening now start on the internet – people meet strangers and disappear,” she warned, while stressing the importance of vigilance towards youngsters and social media use.
Representing the mayor of Okahandja, deputy mayor Akser Aupindi called for stronger national action.
“We cannot allow victims to suffer in silence. They must know that help is available and that their voice will be heard,” said Aupindi, urging communities to involve men and boys as allies in the fight against GBV.
German Ambassador to Namibia Thorsten Hutter cemented his government’s support for the campaign, calling GBV a nightmare that can last for generations.
He highlighted the importance of prevention and long-term partnerships to protect human rights in Namibia.
The campaign will travel through several towns before concluding in December.
OYO is a Namibian Trust that aims to create social awareness among young people through the arts.