Workshop on the prevention of teenage pregnancy

Addressing GBV issues
Enzo Amuele
Enzo Amuele



The ministry of information and communication technology, under the Khomas regional office with the Khomas health task force, organised a two-day workshop on the prevention of teenage pregnancy and gender issues in the Khomas Region and the nation at large.

The workshop took place in Augustinuem Secondary School Hall recently and was attended by learners, parents as well as members of the community to educate both the girl and boy child on the issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and pregnancy prevention.

Speaking at the officiation of the workshop, deputy director of lifelong learning in Khomas Steve Kaangundue said that GBV cuts across all social, economic, religious and class boundaries.

“GBV expresses itself in a host of harmful actions directed at women, babies, girls and nowadays also boys and some men, including sexual assault, rape, forced prostitution, early marriage, child trafficking and any other acts of physical or psychological violence,” he said.

Tremendous cost

The governor of Khomas, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, said: “Namibia is no exception to this social phenomenon. It affects mostly our young, and they continuously suffer at the hands of the very same people they trust”.

She added that this violence against women and children and unwanted pregnancies has tremendous costs to communities and for school achievement, productivity and law enforcement.

“The right of women and children to live free of violence depends on the protection of their human rights and a strong chain of justice,” she further added.

McLeod-Katjirua also mentioned that if human rights violations are left unaddressed, it poses serious consequences for current and future generations and for efforts to ensure peace, to reduce poverty and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including educational attainment for some of our future generations.