Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has urged women to resist the growing trend of sending intimate photos to romantic partners, warning that the practice is not an expression of love and could have damaging consequences.
Speaking at the second Namibia National Women’s Conference in Helao Nafidi on Saturday, Shikongo stressed that love does not require sharing personal images, cautioning that such actions often expose women to risks such as cyberbullying and blackmail.
“We are overusing social media by oversharing personal information online, engaging with strangers, and meeting unknown individuals without caution,” he said.
Shikongo encouraged limiting the sharing of private content not only with romantic partners but also with anyone whose trustworthiness is uncertain. He said financial strain, substance abuse, risky relationships, and unequal power dynamics remain major factors putting women and girls in vulnerable situations.
He noted that societal and cultural pressures often prevent victims from reporting abuse, while fear of public stigma continues to silence many families seeking justice.
The Inspector General revealed that 4,089 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were recorded in Namibia during the 2024/25 financial year, with Ohangwena Region accounting for 461 of them. Between April and May this year alone, 647 GBV-related cases were reported nationwide, 79 of which were in Ohangwena.
Common assault topped the list with 2,047 cases, followed by assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm at 1,285 cases. Only one case of abduction was reported.
The two-day conference, held under the theme “Creating the safest environment for girls and women to live, learn and lead,” is dedicated to strengthening efforts to combat GBV. The event also features a National GBV Awareness Activation Drive, which kicked off in Oshakati on Friday, aiming to spread messages of peace, respect, and hope, and to reaffirm that ending GBV remains a national priority.
