Gender ministry turns to Unam to address social worker scarcity

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has approached the University of Namibia (Unam) in a bid to address Namibia’s critical shortage of social workers.Gender minister Emma Kantema told Namibian Sun in a telephonic interview last week that they are working around the clock to address the issue.Kantema was responding to questions about a man who, after being fined N$3 000 in 2008 for raping a 14-year-old girl, is now accused of a similar offence involving his 15-year-old daughter, who was born as a result of the 2008 sexual assault. This publication reported last week that the mother – the 2008 victim – and her daughter share more than blood; they share a lifelong scar inflicted by the man who raped and impregnated both of them when they were minors.During a visit to the family’s home in Ombonde village, Omusati Region, the two survivors, visibly distressed, said they have not received any psychosocial support – neither after the 2008 incident nor the most recent one.Although the man has been arrested, the mother of the first victim – and grandmother of the second – who reported the 2008 incident, said she is struggling to comprehend how both her daughter and granddaughter could be violated by the same man.Kantema explained that as the ministry works to address the dire shortage of social workers, it is developing a plan to ensure all victims receive the therapeutic support they need.“We do not leave them unattended. We liaise with Nampol for case management using their Gender-Based Violence (GBV) unit,” she said.Vulnerable victimsKantema added that the ministry recently approached Unam for a list of social work graduates.“Ideally we are looking to have one social worker for each constituency as a start to capacitate the regions. As we speak, we do not have graduate social workers in the market who we can absorb into the ministry,” she confirmed.Gender equality and child welfare ministry spokesperson Lukas Haufiku clarified that the institution's mandate primarily covers the welfare and protection of children under 18 years, while psychosocial support for adults falls under the health and social services ministry. The ministry announced in 2021 that between 2019 and 2021, social workers in the country dealt with a total of 293 cases of abandoned or dumped babies, 1 587 cases of children neglected by their parents, 883 cases of children who were physically abused, and 1 566 children who were sexually assaulted.During the reporting period, social workers from the Gender-Based Violence Protection Units also offered psychosocial help to 3 122 children and their families. This data does not include services delivered to children who are not enrolled in GBV units.In a written response to Namibian Sun on Wednesday, Haufiku said rape and other sexual offences are highly sensitive criminal matters where the Namibia Police acts as the first responder. He said once a case is reported, the police investigate and refer victims to relevant service providers, including social workers, medical officers and legal aid officers.“The ministry currently employs 127 social workers across the country, but Namibia continues to face a severe shortage of qualified personnel," Haufiku acknowledged.He said the ministry continues to absorb as many graduates as possible upon completion of their studies, but the demand for social work services extends beyond the ministry, including health facilities, courts, correctional services and other ministries.Guidelines He added that the ministry operates within the framework of the Child Care and Protection Act (Act No. 3 of 2015) and the National Gender Policy, which guide interventions for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).Haufiku said the ministry also coordinates GBV protection units, community-based social workers, and shelters that provide counselling, psychosocial support and temporary protection where needed.“Victims or families who report cases but do not receive timely follow-up are encouraged to contact the nearest regional office of the gender and child welfare ministry or the regional GBV protection unit of the Namibian police for direct assistance,” he advised.Unam social workersUnam spokesperson Simon Namesho recently confirmed that the university produced a total of 29 social work graduates this year.Namesho said 26 students graduated in April and an additional three in this month. The students obtained a bachelor of arts in social work (honours) offered under the School of Allied Health Sciences.“Previously, the programme admitted 40 students per year, but from 2026 onwards the intake will be capped at 30, following guidance from the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA),” he said.Namesho said that the adjustment aims to maintain quality training and supervision standards, ensure adequate placement opportunities for fieldwork and internships, and prevent overburdening the industry’s ability to absorb trainees. - tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Gender ministry turns to Unam to address social worker scarcity

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-28

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Gender ministry turns to Unam to address social worker scarcity

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-28

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