All posts by Regain Trust

During the month of October, the Survivors Speak Up Project (SSUP), which is implemented by Regain Trust and Friedrich Ebert Foundation with funding from the European Union, implemented a series of workshops for key service providers on Gender based Violence (GBV). The workshops brought together police officers, social workers, prosecutors and representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s). The workshops were conducted across the target regions of the survivors speak up project, which is the Khomas, Erongo and Omusati Regions. In total 73 participants (56 Females: 17 males) participated in the trainings.

 

Given the high incidences of reported GBV cases in Namibia and the many challenges the country faces with service provision for survivors of GBV, the SSUP deemed it necessary to facilitate a workshop which brought together different service providers to explore ways in which service provision on GBV could be enhanced. The overall goal of the workshops where to strengthen the ability of service providers to provide effective GBV services. The project also saw the workshops as a unique platform to bring different service providers in the same space to strengthen partnerships and collaborations.

Regain Trust held the final public dialogue for 2019 in Groot Aub on the 07th December 2019, as part of the Sixteen Days of Activism. Members of the Groot Aub community were invited to have a discussion on issues related to GBV and how it is affecting their community. The speakers of the event were Hon. Penina Inga Ita (Regional Councillor, Windhoek Rural), James Itana (Project Manager of Regain Trust), Sylvia Mundjindi (Project Manager of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung), Veronica Nandenga (Warrant Officer, NAMPOL), and Albertina Niita Shoombe (GBV Survivor, who received help from Regain Trust).

The speakers had given their perspectives on the issue of GBV, the challenges in addressing it and proposed strategies in addressing GBV in rural communities. Ms Shoombe had given an account on her experience of GBV, she encouraged parents to talk to their children, especially their daughters, to focus on finishing school rather than getting into relationships at a young age. Warrant Officer Nandenga stressed that people should report cases and avoid withdrawing the cases. The dialogue ended with attendees given the opportunity to ask questions as well as give comments. There was an eagerness amongst the attendees on working together in order to address the issues related to GBV in their community.

The commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence took place at Etayi constituency on Monday, 25 of November 2019 under the theme Orange the World: Generation Stand against Rape. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Traditional Authority, Regain Trust and the Namibian Police Gender Based Violence Unit Protection came together to commemorate the day. The keynote speaker was Hon. Erginus Endjala, the governor of Omusati region and the welcoming remarks were conveyed by Honorable Elisa Johannes who is the Regional Councilor of the Etayi constituency. The audience consisted of 135 people, of which 40 were male and 95 were female.

The keynote speaker was the Honorable Governor Mr. Erginus Endjala, who read the speech on the behalf of Honorable Doreen Sioka, the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. He mentioned that Namibia faces Gender Based Violence specifically domestic violence and sexual violence and it undermines people’s health, dignity, security and their safety. The victims of gender-based violence suffer sexual and reproductive health consequences including forced and unwanted pregnancies, trauma, physical injuries and death. Gender Based Violence can be addressed in our society by raising awareness against gender-based violence, conducting national campaigns, initiatives aimed at preventing gender-based violence and involve young people and traditional authorities in Gender Based Violence prevention initiatives. Expand and improve services available to the victim of Gender Based Violence and conducting research on issues where information is lacking.

The audience was entertained by two cultural groups and a role play on GBV by the Shakalyenge Cultural Group.