On 14 August 2024, the University of Namibia (UNAM), in partnership with the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), launched a pivotal educational video titled “Early Interventions on Family Violence.” This launch, held at UNAM’s Main Library, marked a significant step in addressing the pervasive issue of family violence, both in Namibia and globally.
The event was attended by key figures from both universities, including Prof. Dr. Kenneth Matengu, Vice Chancellor of UNAM; Prof. Jukka Mönkkönen, Rector of UEF (virtually); Dr. Kaarina Mönkkönen, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at UEF; Prof. Rachel Freeman, Head of the UNAM Cares Unit; and Dr Immaculate Mogotsi, Senior Research Fellow: Multidisciplinary Research Services, UNAM. These leaders underscored the urgent need for multi-professional and inter-disciplinary collaboration in combating family violence, a shared challenge between Namibia and Finland.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Kenneth Matengu emphasised the global relevance of family violence and its alarming prevalence in Namibia, despite the country’s progressive legislation. “Family violence is a global phenomenon and remains pervasive in Namibia,” he stated. Prof. Matengu highlighted the need for early interventions and collective efforts to curb this societal scourge, noting that “there is still a lot of work to do to achieve violence-free families.”
The video, which serves as an educational tool, showcases approaches to family violence from the perspectives of students and social work academics in both Namibia and Finland. It captures the essence of multi-professional collaboration, a key aspect in addressing the complexities of family violence. Prof. Matengu expressed the moral obligation of higher education institutions to be responsive to societal needs, stating, “Our desirable outcome with the launch of this video is to educate the nation at large on the importance of seeking early interventions in curing family violence.”
Dr. Kaarina Mönkkönen provided a background on the video’s production, emphasising the shared responsibility between the two universities in tackling domestic violence. She pointed out that in Finland, “every third woman has experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence,” highlighting the critical need for empowering students and professionals across disciplines with the necessary knowledge and skills.
Prof. Rachel Freeman, who played a significant role in contextualising the video for the Namibian audience, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with UEF. She noted that the video is not only an educational resource but also a tool for community empowerment and sustainable development.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Jukka Mönkkönen reiterated the importance of international collaboration in addressing global issues like family violence. He commended the partnership between UEF and UNAM as a model for future initiatives.
The launch of this video signifies a critical advancement in the fight against family violence, providing a valuable resource for students, professionals, and communities in Namibia and beyond. As the video is disseminated, it is expected to foster greater awareness and prompt early interventions, ultimately contributing to the reduction of family violence and the promotion of safer, healthier communities.
The video is available for public viewing on YouTube [click here].
