The “Speak up” project addressing gender-based violence in the Hardap, Erongo and Omusati regions of Namibia is funded by Germany with 84,432.35 euros (around 1,590,000 NAD) this year. The German Ambassador to Namibia, Dr. Thorsten Hutter, signed the agreement with the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO), represented by its founder and director, Dr. Philippe Talavera, on Monday 30 March. The project will run from April 1 to December 31 2026.

The main aim of the project is to encourage conversations in schools and inter-generational dialogues in communities around the issue of mental health and positive masculinity in order to effectively address and prevent gender-based violence in the Hardap, Erongo and Omusati regions, three regions with high rate of GBV incidence.

The German Ambassador to Namibia Dr. Thorsten Hutter said: “We must not let up in our efforts in fighting gender-based violence wherever and whenever we can. The respect for fundamental human rights starts in families, classrooms and communities. OYO’s approach of addressing this challenge through music, dance and play raises awareness especially with the young generation and is combined with professional psychological and social support for those in need.”

The OYO director, Dr Philippe Talavera, added “GBV is everywhere – in the news, in social media, in political discourse. We hear so much about it that, in the end, I wonder if we still pay attention. This project, using the Arts, will not add to the discourse. Instead, it will encourage participants to feel. I strongly believe that if you feel, if you can put yourself in the shoes of the survivor for instance, you can react, you can change. Participants in the project will not be mere spectators. Instead, they will be active participants and, hopefully, will learn that there are better ways.”

Gender-based violence remains one of the most pressing human rights challenges in Namibia. While legislation such as the Combating of Rape Act and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act is in place, access to support services remains difficult for many, especially young people in remote areas. The “Speak up” project goes beyond raising awareness by addressing the root causes of GBV, promoting positive masculinity, challenging harmful cultural practices and encouraging participants to become the change they wish to see. Through school-based sensitisation, inter-generational community dialogues, individual counselling and a specially developed comic book, it equips teenagers in schools and their communities with the tools and knowledge to recognise, challenge and ultimately prevent gender-based violence.

The support of the “Speak up” project by the German Embassy is part of the German federal government's global commitment to human rights and the prevention of gender-based violence around the world. The Federal Foreign Office human rights program supports 130 projects every year in emerging and developing countries across Africa, Asia, Central and South America and Eastern Europe.

The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation is a non-governmental organisation registered as a Trust T109/09 in Namibia. Since its conception in December 2002 OYO, under the directorship of Dr Philippe Talavera, has used creative arts such as films, dance, comic books and educational materials to raise awareness among Namibian youth on social issues including HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence.

Show larger version of image

Close

Show larger version of image

Close