Namibia’s GBV battle reaches 18 500 cases
Namibian police reported over 18,500 cases of gender-based violence during the 2025/26 financial year. Officials are calling for a collective community effort to address the root causes of violence and end the culture of silence.
Why it matters
High rates of gender-based violence remain a significant human rights and public safety challenge in Namibia.
The Namibian Police recorded more than 18 500 gender-based violence (GBV) cases countrywide during the 2025/26 financial year.
The figures were revealed during the third edition of the Namibia National Women’s Conference held at Swakopmund on Saturday, where Zambezi police commander commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo addressed delegates on the impact of GBV in Namibia.
Sakuwa-Neo said incidents of GBV, domestic violence, sexual offences, emotional abuse and other crimes against women and children remain a serious concern for the police.
“Behind every statistic is a human story, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife or a child whose life has been affected by trauma and suffering,” she said.
She said the police’s responsibility extends beyond investigating cases and arresting offenders, adding that law enforcement has a duty to protect vulnerable people, provide professional victim-centred services and work with communities to prevent violence.
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