The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has launched its Oshana campaign to fight against the scourge of gender based violence through dialogue and community engagement.
The campaign that will be rolled across all the 14 regions is an initiative of the MICT following a meeting held on 4 June by the First Gentleman Mr Denga Ndaitwah and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology Ms Emma Theofelus where commitment was made to create a space for communication between teenage boys and girls in an effort to end all forms of gender based violence.
On 24 June 2025 a group of mostly student leaders from the University of Namibia Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus, the International University of Management Ongwediva Campus, and Valombola Vocational Training Centre marched from the Yetu Complex in Oshakati to the Oshana Regional Council where they held a talk with Oshana Governor Mr Elia Irimari, Nampol officers, community leaders, and officials of the MICT.
Pastor Fabianus Franciscus Tjarije, who opened the event with a prayer, said that God hates violence, and that where there is violence there is no love.
“We must understand that as a person, you don’t own somebody. Every person has an own will. Even if you are married, if you tend to be violent against another person, then you had no love to begin with,” Pastor Tjerije said.
Oshana Governor Mr Elia Irimari who was the keynote speaker emphasised the need for young people to take time to have conversations with their elders.
“I grew up with my grandmother, who told me that women and girls are not to be beaten,” Irimari said.
“Through traditional activities we learned to be strong and express ourselves without displaying violence against the opposite gender. We learned about co-existence.”
Irimari also said that people must learn from animal behavior, since animals don’t display violence against the opposite gender.
MICT’s chief information officer Mr Simon Idipo said that the campaign will now be handed over to the local MICT office in Oshana for them to initiate community meetings aimed at raising conversations on GBV issues with the aim of finding solutions, as well as identifying influential people to be regional champions who will speak about GBV.
In the photo: Student leaders marching against GBV in Oshakati.
