KEETMANSHOOP, Namibia – While the global ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign has concluded, the 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade (12 Bde) in Keetmanshoop is demonstrating that the mission to eradicate GBV requires a permanent, multi-faceted offensive. The brigade’s recent campaign closure marks not an end, but a strategic pivot towards sustained, institution-led action, blending military discipline with community partnership to tackle a pervasive societal threat.
This initiative represents a significant evolution in the role of security forces. Moving beyond traditional defence paradigms, 12 Bde is positioning itself as a proactive guardian of human security within its communities. The campaign’s integrated approach—combining awareness, education, and survivor support—signals a recognition that true national security is impossible when a segment of the population lives in fear of violence within their own homes.
The closing ceremony served as a powerful testament to the necessity of cross-sector collaboration. The presence of the Namibian Police Force’s Gender-Based Violence Protection Unit (GBVPU) and a social worker from the Ministry of Health and Social Services created a unified command structure against GBV. This model is crucial: the police handle law enforcement and protection orders, social workers provide trauma counselling and reintegration support, and the military leverages its respected community standing to shift cultural norms and encourage reporting.
Brigadier General Natanael Endjala’s charge to his soldiers was unequivocal: “As soldiers, we have a big responsibility to protect our nation and the community we serve. Let us promote a culture of discipline, integrity, and zero tolerance for gender-based violence.” This directive reframes military values. Discipline is not just for the battlefield but for interpersonal conduct; integrity means upholding respect in private as in public; and protecting the nation includes protecting its most vulnerable citizens from harm. This internal cultural shift within the military can have a ripple effect, modelling behaviour for wider society.
The GBVPU’s presentations provided critical, ground-level context, focusing on the unique challenges within the ||Kharas Region. This likely included addressing barriers like vast geographical distances that isolate victims, economic dependencies that trap survivors, and social stigmas that silence reporting. The emphasis on early reporting and prevention strategies is key—moving the focus from reaction to proactive intervention, a principle deeply familiar to military planning.
Meanwhile, the social worker’s contribution on the psychosocial effects of abuse added a vital layer of understanding. GBV is not merely a criminal act; it inflicts deep psychological wounds—PTSD, depression, anxiety—that can cripple individuals and families for generations. Highlighting the need for community support systems underscores that survivor recovery is a long-term process requiring sustained empathy and practical assistance, far beyond the 16-day campaign.
The use of educational dramas and community outreach by brigade members was a tactical masterstroke in communication. Theatre and direct engagement can bypass resistance to formal lectures, making complex issues relatable and sparking dialogue in ways that pamphlets cannot. This method helps translate the abstract concept of ‘GBV’ into recognizable scenarios, fostering community-level understanding and breaking down the walls of silence.
Photos: The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs
As 12 Bde urges both its personnel and the public to continue the fight, it sets a new standard. The challenge now is institutionalizing this commitment. Will GBV awareness become part of standard military training? Can reporting mechanisms be established within the brigade for both soldiers and civilian families? The campaign’s true success will be measured by whether its energy catalyzes permanent policies, dedicated resources, and an enduring ethos where the military’s strength is consistently used to shield, not harm, the vulnerable.
The 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade has shown that the fight against gender-based violence needs soldiers on its front lines—not with weapons, but with unwavering principle, community partnership, and a redefined sense of duty. Their campaign closure is, in reality, a declaration of a new, ongoing mission.