• By Moses Uyepa

Over the past weeks, we have witnessed alarming incidents of violence against men, yet they have not garnered the attention they deserve.

In Oshikuni village, a 24-year-old woman, without provocation, stabbed and killed her 30-year-old brother. In Rundu, a woman allegedly set her boyfriend’s shack on fire, destroying all of his belongings.

 
Additionally, in Mayara village, a woman poured boiling cooking oil on her husband’s face while he was asleep. These incidents, while unusual, reflect a disturbing trend that seems to be overlooked by the public and leaders alike. There are no protests, no one is calling for justice, no comments from leaders as it usually happens when such events occur when the roles are reversed.
The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW), which is currently engaged in a campaign against gender-based violence, has yet to issue an official statement on any of these incidents. However, the minister has expressed concern over a separate incident involving a man allegedly forcing a minor to smoke a hookah pipe. This selective focus raises questions about the impartiality of our gender-based violence campaign.

The line ministry, for a long time now, has been engaging in disparity in attention and resource allocation, which can be perceived as a form of gender-based violence itself.  A week ago, the MGEPESW awarded certificates of achievement to women micro-entrepreneurs in the //Kharas and Hardap regions, for a training which forms part of the ministry’s Accelerating Women-Owned Micro Enterprises programme. From this programme, more than 1,000 women across the country received assistance.  
While I commend the ministry for this initiative to empower women, I must ask, where are the programmes for men? The ministry should represent all genders equally.  By empowering one gender while neglecting the other, we risk perpetuating a cycle of abuse and inequality.

  
The recent incidents demonstrate a disturbing escalation to physical violence and murder against men, demanding immediate attention and intervention. It is crucial that we recognize and address the full spectrum of gender-based violence, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender, receive the support and resources they need. Gender-based violence occurs in various forms, men often suffer from mental and verbal abuse, particularly from their partners. This can lead to defensive reactions that escalate into physical harm.  As of late, men are not only suffering mental and verbal abuse, they are currently facing physical abuse.
I urge the ministry to adopt a more inclusive approach to gender-based violence campaigns. It is essential to educate all genders about the various forms of abuse and to empower both men and women equally. The ministry of gender should be impartial and represent all genders equally, gender-based violence campaigns should not only focus on one gender as victims but all genders. Teach all genders about all forms of abuse there is, not only physical abuse and empower both genders equally.