Namdeb helps combat GBV
Namdeb is actively addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in Oranjemund through initiatives like the recent GBV Pathways to Care Workshop.The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and Nampol’s GBV Protection Division. Participants included Namdeb staff, local schools, civil society groups, health clinics, and business partners.
The workshop focused on understanding the nature and scale of GBV in the //Kharas Region, especially Oranjemund, and aimed to identify existing services and gaps in the GBV support system for survivors, perpetrators, and bystanders. It also sought to develop a roadmap to strengthen multi-sectoral referral pathways.
Pauline Thomas, Namdeb’s Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainable Impact, emphasized the company’s responsibility to raise awareness and provide education on GBV, highlighting the challenges faced by Oranjemund residents due to limited access to healthcare and support services. As cases are often referred to Lüderitz, this can leave survivors feeling isolated, stressing the need for coordinated efforts.
The workshop included practical case studies tailored to Oranjemund, covering topics such as GBV causes, barriers to reporting, lack of data, limited resources, and the importance of stakeholder collaboration.
Facilitated by Regain Trust's founder, James Itana, the discussions focused on dismantling harmful norms and practices that perpetuate violence, aiming to create better pathways of care for all. Itana, who has contributed to Namibia’s National Gender Policy and the National Plan of Action on GBV, reinforced the importance of collaboration to create safer communities and provide hope for survivors.
Namdeb’s initiative represents a crucial step in raising awareness and fostering stronger support networks to combat GBV in the region.