Zambezi: Minister of Gender Equality, Emma Kantema, on Monday called on Namibian men to take a proactive approach to their physical and mental health, citing statistics that show men are significantly less likely to seek medical intervention than women. Speaking at the official opening of the fifth National Men's Conference - held in the Zambezi Region for the first time - the minister stressed that avoiding healthcare leads to preventable illnesses and contributes to the country's high suicide rates.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the two-day conference, themed 'Empowering Men as Agents of Change: Ending Gender Based Violence and Building Safer Communities,' aims to address the societal roles of men in fostering security and equality. The minister revealed that for 2023/24, 542 suicide deaths were recorded across Namibia. Of those, 449 were men, while 80 were women, eight were boys, and five were girls. Regional data indicated that the Oshana Region had the highest rate at 29.9 per 100,000, while the Zambezi Region stood at 16.8 per 100,000.
Kantema further noted that statistics indicate a disproportionately higher number of men in Namibian prisons compared to women and said these figures reflect a failure to address stereotyped thinking. She urged the public to see these numbers as 'fathers, sons, brothers, and friends' whose lives could be saved through more open dialogue and psychological support. 'A healthy man is a better father, a better partner, and a better leader,' the minister stated.
She encouraged participants to envision a Namibia where every man serves as a pillar of hope, and every child grows up in a safe environment. She acknowledged that while women and children remain the primary victims of gender-based violence (GBV), improving men's mental health is a critical component of ending the cycle of domestic abuse.
Zambezi Region Governor Dorothy Kabula supported her remarks and encouraged participants to reflect on the unspoken social pressures and health challenges that men face. The conference, which includes participation from members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender and Social Welfare, will examine sexual violence, the root causes of GBV, and the impact of cultural and religious traditions on social behaviour.