Dausab calls for gender-inclusive approach to combat GBV

By Valeria Handobe, via News on One

Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, has called for inclusive participation of men and boys in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) dialogues. Dausab, stated that GBV is not only perpetrated against women, but also men who do not conform to dominant masculine gender roles.

These remarks come in the wake of the tragic murder of Christof Frederik earlier this month in Windhoek’s 7de Laan.

The minister made these comments while speaking at the memorial service of Delia Maasdorp at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) last week. Maasdorp was also tragically murdered in Windhoek last month.

Dausab stressed the importance of including men and boys in the conversation about GBV. She urged men to actively listen, educate themselves, challenge harmful beliefs, and support survivors and affected communities.

“Men are not just bystanders in this fight, they are integral allies in creating a society free from violence and discrimination. Men by challenging harmful gender norms and promoting healthy masculinity, can help dismantle the underlying attitudes that perpetuate violence against women and marginalised genders. It is incumbent upon men to actively listen, learn, and unlearn and to stand up allies to survivors, advocates and communities affected by GBV,” says Dausab.