Lucia Witbooi, officially opened the 8th Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners, urging men to be allies in the fight for gender equality and against social ills like gender violence. “Men must not be seen as obstacles to gender equality, but as allies and advocates who share responsibility in building stronger families and societies,” she said. The VP also addressed the “scourge of gender violence and rising suicidal cases in our country,” calling on both men and women to become allies in preventing these issues. “Together, as men and women, let us analyse, challenge, and refrain from harmful cultural norms that advocate for dominance and violence,” she said. The Rural Women Parliament is a platform that offers grassroots women and men access to information on socio-economic and political developments within the country.