Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Hardap: A Community-led Initiative
2025-03-14
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of Namibia’s most pressing social challenges, affecting individuals, families, and communities nationwide. The Hardap Region, like many parts of the country, grapples with the devastating impact of GBV, which has been recognised as a national crisis.
In 2024, the UN Human Rights Committee flagged Namibia’s GBV scourge as a significant human rights concern, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
Recognizing the need for localized solutions, Step Up Ark Community Organisation has launched a groundbreaking initiative to support GBV survivors and raise awareness in the Hardap Region. The initiative includes the launch of the GBV Guidebook 2025, a comprehensive resource to educate communities on GBV, available legal frameworks, and avenues for support. This guidebook, produced with the support of international and local partners, provides practical information for survivors, advocates, and policymakers.
As part of the launch event, representatives from government, civil society, law enforcement, and the media will come together to discuss the urgent need for increased state intervention, policy reforms, and sustainable community-driven solutions. Through this engagement, Step Up Ark seeks to highlight the unique challenges faced by rural communities and advocate for tailored responses that ensure no survivor is left behind.
The project has been made possible through the support of the NMT Media Foundation, the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), and DW Akademie, through its New Voices, New Narratives project, which is funded by the European Union. Their commitment to strengthening media, advocacy, and public discourse on GBV has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.
Beyond raising awareness, the campaign calls for action. By equipping communities with knowledge and resources, fostering accountability, and amplifying survivor voices, Step Up Ark aims to drive meaningful change in the fight against GBV.
To learn more about the GBV Guidebook 2025 and how you can support this initiative, visit Step Up Ark’s website. Download the Guide here.