Namibia records over 5000 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) annually. Any number of GBV cases are unacceptable, but 5,000 is a stark number for our small population. 

Between April 2024 and February 2025, Namibia recorded 4 405 cases of GBV, of which 1 345 were cases of rape, according to the Namibian Police. It is further critical to note that there are only the reported cases, as many cases go unreported. Rape and sexual violence can unfortunately and terribly be described as a pandemic within our nation, with a 2019 survey (Violence against Children and Youth) recording that almost 40% of Namibian girls and 45% of Namibian boys experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence during childhood. In most of these cases, the perpetrator is known by the victim, usually being a family member; partner; pastor; colleague or an otherwise close friend or relative.

Children account for 10% of reported murder cases and 32% of reported rape and attempted rape cases annually. Moreover, 80 children are removed from their homes each year due to abuse or neglect, with many more cases going unreported, according to police data. 1 in 3 Namibian woman and girls between the ages of 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence before. As a civil society in Namibia, we witness this gruesome reality daily. For many years, we have tirelessly documented the relentless war being waged against our women and children.

In 2021, former Minster of Justice Honourable Yvonne Dausab tabled amendments to the Combating Rape Act of 2000 in the National Assembly as a response to the protests and recent reports of sexual and GBV. We deeply appreciate Honorable Yvonne Dausab on hearing our pain and acting upon this pressing issue. The Combatting of Rape Act was subsequently amended via the Combatting of Rape Amendment Act, 2022. However, the Act only came into force on 15 May 2024. The amendments included an additional definition of what constitutes a coercive circumstance for rape; changes in the sentencing for a rape conviction and extended the scope of individuals considered exceptionally vulnerable. The Act raised the the minimum sentence for a first conviction of rape from five (5) to ten (10) years, while the sentence for rape committed under coercive circumstances was increased from ten (10) to fifteen (15) years. The Act also introduced an increased sentence for conviction of rape of people recognised as exceptionally vulnerable, including persons with mental or physical disabilities, from a minimum of fifteen (15) years to twenty (20) years. During the amendment process, there was much dialogue between stakeholders regarding the establishment of a national sex offenders’ register, with aspiration of the same being established by 31 March 2022 would be enacted, as well as establish a sexual offences court. However, the Combatting of Rape Amendment Act 2022 holds no such legal provisions pertaining to a registry. We note that the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Wise Immanuel has ventilated the idea of a sex offender’s registry, but with no concrete plans, this remains aspirational. 

In December 2021, government identified the Katutura Magistrate’s Court as a GBV court. The goal of these special arrangements is to make the process of going to court, which can be emotionally draining and quite intimidating to anyone, a little bit easier for victims who have already suffered enough trauma. It is intended as an environment of compassion and safety. The court officially opened in July 2022. We need more specialized courts across Namibia, and one in each of the 14 regions.

In 2023 it was reported that none of the 8-government owned GBV shelters across the country are operational. One of the reasons we have dormant shelters is due to shortage of staff. There are two additional shelters that are privately owned that are receiving government subsidies, which bolsters the ongoing efforts to provide crucial support and care to those in need. However, the average Namibian cannot afford privately owned shelters, which perpetuates the issues of wealth inequality highlighted by the Eighth Administration. Thus where should Namibian women and children go when they need protection and safety from the perpetrators? It is not sufficient to encourage women and children to speak up. How can women and children speak up when they lack shelter from retaliation and further harm? It has been reported that the government owned GBV shelters have been non operational since 2014, which is over a decade long without shelters. The lack of adequate shelter for abused women and children is a national crisis, and we call upon the government to ask: How many more women and children must we lose before the government declares it a National Disaster? GBV is a state of emergency and it should be declared one!

We decree: Declare Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a National Disaster requiring immediate attention! 

Hence, we call on the Namibian government to immediately declare GBVF a National Disaster. This crisis demands the immediate mobilisation of national resources and unwavering political commitment on an unprecedented scale to strengthen and transform the national response to the epidemic of violence against women and children. By declaring GBVF a national disaster, we demand immediate and decisive action through the following urgent measures:
Demands and Immediate Actions
1. Declare GBV and femicide a national disaster to unlock emergency funding, cross-ministerial coordination, and expedited legal and social interventions.

2. Establish a National Emergency GBV Task Force chaired by the Office of the President with representation from the Ministries of Gender, Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare; Justice, Health, Police, Education, and civil society to address cases immediately. This is in addition to the GBV Protection Units in all 14 regions. 

3.  Allocate emergency funding for survivor services: shelters, specialized courts, medical and psychosocial care, legal aid, and rapid forensic capacity. We need the governmental shelters to be operational by March 2026.

4. Scale up data collection and public reporting with transparent, disaggregated statistics and a public dashboard to track progress. We need to be able access data as citizens and civil societies as data is being hoarded and duplicated in Namibia. We need a 90 day emergency action plan and quarterly progress reports to Parliament and the public.

5. Launch a nationwide prevention campaign focused on men and boys, community accountability, and school-based education. Life Skills Health Education and HIV prevention (formerly known as Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)) has been approved to be added back to the school curriculum. We demand it begins in the 2026 school calendar cycle and that ALL public and private schools should have this education. It should also be included in colleges, universities and the workplace both in public and private sectors. We demand similar after school programmes such as ‘My Future, My Choice’ to be implemented once again relating to addressing harmful cultural practices, toxic masculinity and overall address rape culture in Namibia and ways to stop rape culture. In addition, comprehensive gender-based violence prevention education in schools that cover topics such as consent and gender equality from an early age as we have a high rate of child abuse in Namibia. 365-Days Awareness: Implement continuous awareness and education campaigns in schools, workplaces, communities, and media channels, including print, radio, television, and social media.

6. Opposing Bail: Bail in cases of child sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, attempted murder, and murder, where sufficient evidence exists and there is imminent danger to survivors, and the community should be firmly opposed. This is crucial to prevent perpetrators from reoffending. 

7. Revise the National Plan of Action on GBV: The Namibian government should revise and update the National Plan of Action on GBV to coordinate better prevention methods and response efforts, demonstrating that GBV is a sustained national priority requiring urgent escalation.

8.Accountability for Negligence and Misconduct: Enforce immediate disciplinary measures against public officials, i.e. police officers, court officials, or social workers, who fail to act or mishandle GBVF cases. Take immediate and decisive disciplinary action against any public officials involved in GBVF-related misconduct. Delays and inconsistency are unacceptable - swift action is crucial to uphold accountability and justice for survivors.

9. The Sexual harassment bill to be implemented by March 2026. Sexual harassment at the workplace is a big concern in Namibia. We need this bill implemented to be better equipped in fighting against Sexual harassment. 

10. Criminalizing misogyny. The spread of misogyny and acts of misogyny should be criminalized as misogyny plays a big role in violence against women and children committed daily.

11. Launch National Sex Offenders Register by March 2026 and it should be accessible to the public and ensure all individuals convicted of GBVF-related crimes, including domestic violence, are listed. This will empower communities, employers, and caregivers to take proactive steps to protect women and children.

12. Gender-based violence specialized courts should be implemented in all 14 regions in Namibia.

Ending gender-based violence and femicide and ensuring women’s safety must be a priority for the Namibian government. GBVF is the most extreme expression of unequal gender relations in our society, a human rights violation, and a global health issue that transcends boundaries of economic status, culture, religion, age, and sexual orientation. Namibia is known internationally as a champion and a leader for gender equality on a global stage. This international reputation is in stark contrast to the lived reality of many Namibian women and girls domestically. Namibia has implemented tremendous policies aimed at gender equality, and we enjoy representation across every sector of government, however these policies and this representation does not translate in society and the everyday Namibian mindset. Women and children still experience gender inequality through the violence we witness and read everyday. 

GBV is one of the most devastating social challenges our young democracy faces daily. Every single day we hear and read reports about violence against women, girls and children. Every day a Nambian woman or child is abused, killed, raped and murdered. The scourge of violence against women and children resembles an epidemic that highlights the harmful cultural practices and traditions that plague the minds of society that continues to let rape culture thrive. It shows no sign of abating as every social class, race and ethnicity in Namibia experiences the violence. Every Namibian is affected by violence against women and children directly or indirectly. We are all affected by this. Every Namibian can do something to help end the femicide we are facing as Nation. It starts with us.

PLEASE NOTE ALL DONATIONS THROUGH Change Org go to them and not us, it is best to donate directly to our bank account.

If you would like to donate towards the cause, please use our banking details are:
•    Account name: Slut Shame Movement
•    Account number: 64289962621’
•    Branch code: 280172
•    Swift/BIC Code: FIRNNANX
•    Branch Name: Windhoek

You can contact us via email slutshamenam@gmail.com, visit our social media pages @slutshamewalknam or @missingpersonunit. Sign our Petition and demand our Government to declare GBVF a National Disaster NOW.