Namibia launches national handbook to standardise child protection services

Namibia has launched a clinical handbook to guide frontline professionals in responding to violence against children, a development officials say will standardise protection services nationwide.The clinical handbook for health professionals in Namibia: responding to violence against children was unveiled in Swakopmund on Friday, 26 September, during the commemoration of the 2025 Day of the Namibian Child.Deputy minister of gender equality and child welfare Linda Mbwale said the handbook was adapted from the World Health Organisation’s global manual on child maltreatment and contextualised to Namibia’s realities.“The purpose of this manual is to serve as a practical tool in the capacity building of frontline service providers, including doctors, nurses, police officers, and social workers,” Mbwale said. “It equips them with standardised knowledge, guidelines and procedures to ensure that the response to child victims is professional, coordinated and above all, child-centred.”She said responses to child maltreatment had too often varied between regions and institutions. “This manual therefore represents a major step forward in strengthening our national child protection systems and ensuring consistency in how cases are handled across sectors,” she said.Global health problemWHO country representative Richard Banda said violence against children remained a global health problem and a leading cause of death among adolescents.“Exposure to violence increases the risk of detrimental outcomes such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health problems and chronic conditions,” Banda said.He stressed the need for evidence-based prevention strategies and stronger child protection systems. “Health care professionals and social workers, given their unique role, play a very vital part in recognising signs of maltreatment. This allows for timely intervention, preventing further harm and supporting the child’s overall well-being,” he said.The handbook’s adaptation and training programme were supported by the government of Japan, representing an investment of about N$35 million. Banda said broader commitment from government and society was required to protect children’s rights through robust policies, planning, resource allocation and coordination.The Erongo region hosted this year’s Day of the Namibian Child under the theme planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010.

Namibia launches national handbook to standardise child protection services

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-21

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Namibia launches national handbook to standardise child protection services

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-21

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