The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare is on a drive to address various issues faced by children in the Oshikoto Region.

During a Child Care Protection Forum meeting held in Omuthiya on Wednesday, the ministry’s regional head, Petrus Kuutondokwa said a number of pressing issues were picked up during a campaign by the ministry that ran from April to July 2024.

The main problems affecting children in the region are a lack of national documents and the misuse of grants; a high rate of rape and statutory rape; teenage pregnancies; alcohol and drug abuse by children; and children committing crimes.

He said social workers sensitised learners from 11 schools and community members from 10 villages in the region on various topics during the campaign.

He said one of their short-term goals was to increase awareness and understanding of statutory rape, while a long-term goal is to reduce statutory rape in the region.

The ministry conducted outreach meetings with communities and scho
ols, educated parents, other community members and children on the Combating of Rape Act and informed learners of protective behaviours.

‘Most parents also leave their children with elderly people, resulting in less parental supervision and children become problematic or commit crimes,’ Kuutondokwa said.

He further noted that there is a need for school staff or the Women and Men Network to patrol busy areas at certain times as most children are raped while on their way to and from school.

Wednesday’s meeting was amongst others attended by representatives of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol); Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture; Ministry of Health and Social Services, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, Safety and Security.

Contacted for comment, NamPol’s Chief Inspector of Community Affairs, Ellen Nehale-Kangulu urged members of the public to report violence against children to the police so they can deal with the perpetrators.

‘Community members can visit any of the 15 police stations
in the region to report crimes committed against our children,’ Nehale-Kangulu said.

Source: The Namibia News Agency