Windhoek
Finnish ambassador to Namibia Anne Saloranta says churches, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, have a unique role to play in reaching out to communities, as well as finding solutions to gender-based violence.
Saloranta, who said this in an interview with New Era last week, stressed that the root causes of gender-based violence must be identified in order for it to be successfully tackled.
“Gender-based violence cuts across all cultures, races, religions, socio-economic levels and international borders,” Saloranta added. She said the Embassy of Finland in Namibia has since last year been supporting a three-year project to combat gender-based violence, in partnership with the Council of Churches in Namibia. The project has a budget of N$8 million.
“Causes and reasons for gender-based violence are many, ranging from poverty and social challenges to emotional problems. A comprehensive approach requires close cooperation by all stakeholders,” she noted.
Gender-based violence is also a problem in Finland, she noted, but added that Finland’s development policy programme puts special emphasis on gender equality. “The realisation of equality between women and men, as well as girls and boys, effectively promotes the attainment of broader development goals,” Saloranta explained.