The inaugural Sanlam Men’s Conference 2022, held in the nation’s capital over the weekend, drew over 1000 men from all over the country.

The purpose of the conference was to provide a forum for men who are perceived as both parts of the problem and part of the solution to discuss the topic of gender-based violence, which has far-reaching consequences.

On Monday, Denille Roostee, Sanlam’s Marketing and Communication Manager, told Nampa that the overwhelmingly favourable response proves that gender-based discrimination and violence affect Namibians of all cultures and social strata.

Roostee stated that the conference was also live-streamed on other social media platforms in order to compensate for the venue’s capacity restrictions, which prevented many people from entering.

“We are pleased that we were able to contribute in some little manner to the development of a platform alongside our co-sponsors and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s Nationhood and National Pride program,” she said.

She stated that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights, but it also has larger repercussions for development, adding that according to the World Bank, the economic effects of lost productivity due to domestic abuse range between 1.2 and 2 per cent of GDP.

She emphasised that gender inequity, abuse of authority and harmful norms all contribute to this phenomenon. According to statistics, one in three women will experience sexual or physical abuse.

“During times of displacement and crisis, the risk of GBV for both men and women, girls and boys, increases significantly. Public and private sexual, physical, mental and monetary suffering can arise from gender-based violence. Also included are violent threats, coercion and manipulation. GBV includes intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child marriage, female genital mutilation and so-called ‘honour crimes,” she stated.

Roostee added that emotional, financial and verbal abuse is among the least acknowledged, yet most devastating forms of abuse, and that emotional abuse has a negative effect on self-esteem and confidence.

The conference, a concept introduced by DJ Munene, was successfully hosted by Santam, Chapungu-Kambako Safaris, Ubuntu Events and Technology, J&A Bakery, and Energy100 FM, with their aid and collaboration.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency