OMUTHIYA — The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare is intensifying efforts to tackle critical issues affecting children in the Oshikoto Region, focusing on enhancing child safety and welfare.

According to Namibia Press Agency, during the Child Care Protection Forum meeting on Wednesday, the regional head of the ministry, Petrus Kuutondokwa, outlined the challenges identified from a campaign conducted from April to July 2024. The primary concerns include a lack of national identification documents, misuse of grants, high rates of rape and statutory rape, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse among youths.

Kuutondokwa explained that during the campaign, social workers engaged with learners from 11 schools and community members from 10 villages, educating them on various safety and legal topics. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of statutory rape and to cultivate protective behaviors among children.

The meeting also highlighted strategies for better community involvement in safeguarding children, with suggestions for increased patrols by school staff and community networks in areas where children are most vulnerable to assault during their commutes.

The forum saw participation from various stakeholders, including the Namibian Police Force, the Ministries of Education, Health, and Home Affairs, indicating a unified approach to addressing these critical issues.

Chief Inspector of Community Affairs for NamPol, Ellen Nehale-Kangulu, emphasized the importance of community reporting of violence against children to aid police efforts in apprehending offenders. She encouraged the public to make use of the 15 regional police stations to report any incidents.