Namibia’s GBV battle reaches 18 500 cases

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.