Girls unite to #UnmuteHerStory

Marina Antonio
  • 1 Day Ago

Girls aged between 14 and 19 from various local schools gathered at the Hage Geingob stadium last Thursday for the #UnmuteHerStory event, an initiative aimed at empowering young people to speak out against gender-based violence (GBV).

The event is part of the Enjoy Life campaign by Enjoy Travel, which celebrates women while promoting awareness and education around GBV. This year’s focus expanded to include both young women and men, equipping them with knowledge on where to seek help, how to report abuse, and basic self-defence techniques.

Designed to break the silence surrounding GBV, the initiative combined physical self-defence training with motivational mentorship and practical guidance.

“There’s a lot of sexual violence that happens online, where young people are asked for inappropriate pictures,” said One Economy representative Pefimbo Shipunda. She encouraged participants not to remain silent when threatened, but to speak up and seek support.


Support available

Zia de Klerk, a social worker from LifeLine/Childline, highlighted the importance of accessible support services. “You do not need credit to call the helplines; they are toll-free,” she said, sharing key contact numbers, including the GBV helpline (106) and the Childline helpline (116). She also offered practical advice on how to assist friends who may be in distress.

The event was organised in response to growing concerns about the safety and self-esteem of young girls. By combining practical skills with emotional awareness, #UnmuteHerStory created a supportive space for learning and connection.

Participants left not only with self-defence techniques but also with a strengthened sense of community, joining a network of 140 peers and gaining reassurance that their voices and experiences matter.

The programme concluded with an intensive self-defence session led by instructor Silvio Coetzee, who guided participants through practical techniques to protect themselves in dangerous situations.

Organisers said the event demonstrated that when young women are equipped with the right tools and given a platform to be heard, they are empowered not just to cope, but to thrive.