Editorial

Editorial Jana-Mari Smith

Namibia’s already rampant scourge of gender-based violence has worsened since the onset of Covid-19, with experts saying it has become a “pandemic within a pandemic”.

While many Namibian homes were unsafe even before the pandemic, frontline workers warn that the pandemic has made more homes more unsafe, with families squeezed together amid a steep rise in economic and health crises.

Panellists invited to speak with First Lady Monica Geingos on the topic of Covid-19’s impact on GBV last week warned that the prime risk factors linked to GBV sharply increased during the pandemic.

Non-profit organisations were scalded by a drop or eradication of funding, wiping out their ability to be front-line supporters for those needing help.

Government’s social services, already burdened by lack of staff and other resources, could not meet the increased demand for services.

Lockdown rules led to victims being literally locked up with their violators. Curfews hampered efforts to flee.

Job losses, pay reductions and increased stress overall led to inflamed tempers, and increased alcohol and drug abuse – all of which undoubtedly led to more violence and more silence.

For years, experts have warned that the already towering number of GBV cases reported to police are in fact only the tip of the iceberg. Victims notoriously fear reporting abuse for a variety of factors –community and family pressures, lack of knowledge of support systems, legal red tape, stigmatisation and more.

Recently released police statistics at first glance show a positive trend – a sharp reduction in GBV crimes. But this is a deception, and a dangerous one.

These numbers show that survivors are even less equipped to reach out for help, despite increasing abuse taking place, mostly in homes at the hands of family or friends.

It is time for the GBV pandemic to receive the same attention as the Covid-19 pandemic. The consequences of ignoring this pandemic now will have far-reaching consequences for Namibia going forward – long after Covid-19 has been conquered.