By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK – On the eve of the conference in Windhoek next month on gender-based violence, the topic on violence against women and children is gaining momentum. Yesterday, hundreds of women, children and men held a peaceful march down Independence Avenue. They voiced concern about the alarming rate of abuse and violence against women and children in the country. Halfway through the march from UN Plaza and the Katutura Community Hall, the crowd observed a minute of silence at the old cinema hall where the late Sofia Hoesemas girl tragically lost her life after being raped and killed two years ago. “Let the brutality against women and children end in this country,” was the clarion call echoed by the marchers as they lit candles in memory of all the victims of violence. Jointly organized by the Namibia Red Cross Society and Desert Soul Project, the march also coincided with the launching of a Children’s Television Drama Series and a Violence Booklet entitled “Stop the Abuse of Women.” The newly-launched health and development communication materials aim at educating the Namibian public on the different forms of abuse, myths and misconceptions, real-life cases, while at the same time educating children about their rights when it comes to violence and where to get help. In his keynote address, Minister of Safety and Security Peter Tsheehama said this educational material is highly valuable especially at a time when the country is faced with years of violence and abusive crimes epically against women and children. “Intensity and severity of these crimes, especially against women and girls, has increased in our communities, not only perpetrated by strangers, but also committed between family members and loved ones,” said Tsheehama. The launch of the booklets and TV Series for children is an important communication tool through which the public can understand and respect each other’s rights and views. “I believe that the Desert Soul booklet, ‘Stop The Abuse Against Women’, will not only help us to have individual impact in our efforts to reduce and altogether eliminate gender-based violence, but will also educate us as a nation about the rights of women and girls because Women’s Rights are Human Rights,” explained Tsheehama. Speaking at the same event, Chairperson of the Namibia Red Cross Society Razia Isaack Kauaria said that through research done in compiling the latest public material on violence, it has been found that there is a trend of unequal sharing of power between men and women in society. “There is clearly a pattern of unwarranted control, which forces the abuser’s entitlements and offers him such gains as getting his way at all costs,” said Kauaria. She added that such an abusive relationship ultimately leaves the perpetrator to still have power over his partner as the victim continues to suffer in silence. The new booklet is in English, Oshiwambo, Silozi, Otjiherero and Afrikaans, with a total print run of 600ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 booklets, which will be distributed at clinics, hospitals, BP service stations, youth centres and police stations throughout the country. The TV series, which is the second of its kind, consists of 26 episodes and mostly targets children aged between eight and 12 years as well as youth between 13 and 18 years of age. Health issues such as HIV care and support will be portrayed in the series to be shown on the national broadcaster. Other issues include child-headed households, safe environments, children’s rights to education and xenophobia. Desert Soul is a Health and Development Communication project born out of a partnership between the Namibia Red Cross Society and Soul City five years ago.