GIZ Namibia

GIZ Donates to GBV Shelter for 16 Days of Activism Violence Against Women remains a pervasive issue in Namibia and continues to inflict immense physical, emotional, and psychological harm on individuals, families, and societies. Beyond being a global public health crisis, it is a critical social problem that affects not just abuse survivors and their children, but entire communities and their economies. As part of the collective commitment to the 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women, the GIZ staff supported the Friendly Haven Shelter, a safe refuge for women and children who have experienced abuse by donating hygiene products and menstrual products. Friendly Haven has been providing vital short-term care, counselling, and empowerment services for over 28 years. The organisation has been responding to the needs of women and children seeking refuge from the harm and dangers of GBV for many years. However, the shelter is currently facing severe challenges, which have led to a reduction in services and capacity. Despite these constraints, Friendly Haven continues to provide safety and support to those in urgent need.  To alleviate these challenges, GIZ organized a drive for in-kind donations of hygiene products that will help Friendly Haven sustain its essential services. GIZ’s Partnerships for Prevention of Gender based Violence in Southern Africa (PfP-II) donated a variety of menstrual products including reusable sanitary pads in an effort to address period poverty and its relation of GBV. The official handover of the donations was held on the 11th of December 2024. The event was attended by GIZ’s SDGI Project Manager, Ms Anna Auala, Friendly Haven Shelter, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Ann’s Pads (for a Presentation on using reusable pads) and GIZ staff. PfP-II which signed an implementation agreement with the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare this year to develop evidence informed collaborative flagships for GBV prevention as well as strengthening stakeholders’ individual and institutional capacities for the implementation of joint GBV prevention programmes.   PfP though focusing strictly on the prevention of GBV through context specific programming, recognises that the result of creating awareness on GBV issues increases the need for response services. The donation call was then a response and recognition of the tireless work that goes into ensuring the safety of women who are faced with GBV. Enforcing the shared understanding that ending GBV is a collaborative and collective effort while calling on all to contribute. This also gave the GIZ staff a tangible avenue to give back to the cause and directly supporting the shelter’s efforts to provide a safe and dignified space for women and children. 

Empowering Women: GIZ Namibia’s Self-Defence Training for the 16 Days of Activism 🤼♀️ As part of the 16 Days of Activism, GIZ Namibia organized a one-day Women's Self-Defence Training, led by Z1 Academy Trainer, Nilson. The training, which saw the participation of 11 women, aimed to empower females with essential self-defence skills. The session covered a variety of critical topics, including: - Awareness: Understanding surroundings and identifying potential threats. - De-escalation Techniques: How to manage and defuse conflict or altercations before they escalate. - Introduction to Basic Techniques: This included learning proper stances, how to safely fall, and methods for standing up after a fall. - Escape Techniques: Participants were taught how to break free from various holds, including grabs and releases. - Ground Control Stages: This section focused on the four stages of managing ground control—close distance, distance control, decision-making, and disengaging when necessary. The overall goal of the training was to equip women with foundational self-defence skills, emphasizing the importance of de-escalating situations. By the end of the session, participants gained confidence and practical tools to protect themselves in potentially vulnerable situations. #16daysofactivism #womenempowerment

On December 5th, GIZ Namibia's Positive Masculinity group gathered for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to discuss masculinity, parenting, and non-violent conflict resolution. Guest speaker Oxley shared insights from working with men in Katutura, highlighting how economic pressures and shifting power dynamics contribute to gender-based violence. He highlighted how unemployment and economic struggles among men often lead to substance abuse, fueling violence in households. The session emphasized the role of men as agents of change, fostering accountability and positive role modeling, particularly for boys. With over 4,800 GBV cases recorded in Namibia this year 📊, engaging men is essential for sustainable change 🌍. Together, we are committed to building safer families and communities 👨👩👧👦. #16DaysOfActivism #PositiveMasculinity #EndGBV 🙌

Yesterday was December 8, do you know what day it is? 8D, don't you remember?   Probably not. We did not commemorate anything yesterday. Even 25N, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, seems a long time ago. But the effort to prevent gender-based violence is not and should not be a one-day thing. For the Regional Programme Partnerships for Prevention of Gender-based violence (PfP) funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with its partners this is a commitment of 365 days a year: 25N, 8D, 3F, 4A, 27J... Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH GIZ South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini GIZ Namibia GIZ Zambia GIZ Botswana and SADC #SDG5 #16DaysCampaign #GBV #GIZ Photo: PfP works with religious and traditional leaders in rural Zambia as agents of social change for the prevention of gender-based violence

As part of our activities within the #16DaysofActivism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Tuesday 3 December our Business Scout for Development at the Agentur für Wirtschaft und Entwicklung handed over certificates to the participants of the #GBV #Prevention #Awareness Programme. Over the last few months more than 50 persons from 19 organisations in #Namibia took part in the awareness raising programme targeting GBV prevention at the workplace. The programme was implemented jointly with Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AHK Ecuador - Cámara Ecuatoriano Alemana as well as InductionOne and targeted private sector in #Namibia, #SouthAfrica and #Zambia. #16Days #GBVPrevention #NoExcuse

🌍 Empowering Local Climate & Biodiversity Action 🌱 Apply now for the IKI Small Grants 6th Call for Proposals! 💡 Receive funding of up to €200,000 to drive impactful projects in: ✅ Greenhouse gas mitigation ✅ Climate change adaptation ✅ Preserving natural carbon sinks ✅ Biodiversity conservation 📅 Deadline: 15 January 2025 📍 Eligible: Local organisations in ODA-eligible countries (of which Namibia is). Join the global movement for local impact. Transform ideas into action and contribute to sustainable change. 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dm2hvD28

Yesterday, our colleagues came together for a thought-provoking Brown Bag Lunch session on Period Poverty, hosted at our GIZ Namibia Country Office and virtually 💬 We were honored to have had Hermine Bertolini from Ann Pads share insights into the challenges menstruating individuals face due to limited access to menstrual products, myths, education, and hygiene facilities. She also highlighted an innovative, sustainable solution: washable pads. Organized under the Partnership for Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Southern Africa (PfP) initiative together with our gender focal points, this session tied into the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, shedding light on how menstrual health plays a crucial role in achieving gender equality ⚖️ . Together, we continue to work toward breaking stigmas and educating individuals. #PeriodPoverty #16DaysOfActivism #GenderEquality #SustainableSolutions #GIZ

🌱 HOW TO PLANT A FRUIT TREE: Building Resilient Farms and Healthy Ecosystems 🌍 Namibia imports 95% of the fruits sold in supermarkets for a sum of more than N$200 Million annually. Fruit trees offer more than just food—they are powerful allies in creating resilient farms and thriving ecosystems. From improving soil health and retaining moisture to increasing carbon storage and boosting biodiversity, tree planting is a cornerstone of sustainable farming.   In this insightful video, Johannes Muremi, Senior Technical Field Advisor at the GIZ Farming for Resilience (F4R) project, shares practical steps for sustainable tree planting. Farmers are empowered with the knowledge to enhance their agricultural practices and contribute to a healthier planet.   📽️ Watch now to learn how sustainable tree planting can transform your garden: https://lnkd.in/dvSu5PKu #Sustainability #ResilientFarming #ClimateAction #TreePlanting #FarmingForResilience #Agribusiness

Earlier this morning, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare officially opened the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism at the UN place in Windhoek. Annually, the 16 days creates an avenue for awareness creation on Gender Based Violence as a human rights issue. This year, the campaign focuses on moving towards Beijing 30+: “Unite! to End Violence Against Women and Girls!”. Through our Prevention of GBV in Southern Africa project (PfP II) , we aim to play our role in contributing to ending GBV in Namibia as highlighted by the Minister of Justice, Hon. Yvonne Dausab in her key note address 👇🏾

The possibility of employment is what some youth look forward to 💼 💡 For Tinoonga from Ongwediva, the most crucial aspect of green hydrogen is its potential to provide jobs for Namibia’s youth. If the projects deliver opportunities in diverse sectors, it will be good for the people, he says.    #justenergyfuture #greenhydrogen #Namibia