By: June Shimuoshili
Namibia cannot continue responding to gender-based violence only after someone has been killed.
During the 2025/26 financial year, police recorded more than 18,500 GBV cases across the country. Behind that number are people who experienced fear, control, humiliation, physical violence, sexual violence and emotional abuse.
But prevention also means teaching people what an unhealthy relationship looks like.
A relationship does not have to become physically violent before someone is allowed to leave.
Constantly checking your phone. Controlling who you see. Taking your money. Threatening you. Isolating you from family. Insulting you. Monitoring where you go. Making you feel afraid. These can all be warning signs.
Yet leaving is not always simple.
People remain because they are financially dependent. They have children. They fear retaliation. They have nowhere to go. Their families tell them to stay. They believe the person they love will change.
That is why we need safe exit planning, counselling, shelters, legal assistance and trusted people who will not respond with, “Why did you stay?”
We must also remember that men can experience abuse.
When a man opens up about being hurt, controlled or abused, he should not be laughed at or told to “be a man.” That attitude can keep people silent until pain becomes anger, depression or violence.
Speaking up must mean something.
It must mean we listen, believe, support and connect people to help.
And when relationships become difficult, people must be encouraged to seek counselling, mediation where appropriate, mental-health support and other safe interventions rather than turning conflict into violence.
