Khomas regional governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua has urged males in Namibia to take part in initiatives aimed at addressing behavioural issues and gender-based violence (GBV).

In her statement to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day on Sunday, she encouraged the men to attend events like the men conferences recently held at Keetmanshoop and Ondangwa.

Over 1 000 men attended each of the two events, organised by among others the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Justice, to discuss issues of suicide, mental health and gender-related laws. McLeod-Katjirua said the gatherings created a safe space for men to share their experiences, and discuss issues which affect them.

“It is with this backdrop that I would like to encourage men to continue attending events of this nature that are aimed at addressing behavioural change and challenging the GBV landscape,” she noted. The governor said men and boys in Namibia also experience GBV. “In our society, men are not exempt. They also experience gender-based violence, especially psychological violence, which is human rights violence.”

During the event held at the Old Location cemetery in Windhoek, she observed that International Human Rights Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about human rights issues, promote human dignity and gender equality, and advance justice.

“The commemoration of Human Rights Day calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to help end all forms of violence against women and girls,” she said. Human Rights Day on 10 December coincides with Namibia Women’s Day, which honours the brave heroines who challenged forced removals by the South African colonial administration from the Old Location to Katutura in 1959.

“This day should prompt us to understand that Namibian women have a greater role to play in all spheres of life, be it political, educational or socio-economic activities,” McLeod-Katjirua continued.

This year’s Human Rights Day was observed under the theme ‘Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All’.

“This theme further calls on us to respect the dignity and freedom of all by ensuring that we do not tolerate any form of human rights violation and violation against children,” said the governor. -Nampa