Violence against children endemic in Namibia

NAMPA WINDHOEKA gender-based violence (GBV) against children survey conducted in 2019 found that 39.6% of girls and 45% of boys have experienced some form of childhood violence in Namibia.This was revealed on Wednesday by the director of child welfare in the gender equality ministry, Helena Andjamba, during an inter-ministerial dialogue to end violence against children and youth held in Windhoek.She said the survey was conducted by the ministry in an effort to develop strong evidence-based programmes to respond to violence against children, and the results of the survey show that Namibia is grappling with endemic levels of violence against children. “The most common form of violence found in the survey is emotional violence, with 39.3% of girls and 30% of boys experiencing emotional violence inflicted by their peers, and this includes bullying and verbal abuse. Overall, 11.8% of girls have experienced childhood sexual violence that includes unwanted sexual touching, attempted sex in childhood, pressured or coerced sex in childhood as well as physically forced sexual encounters,” Andjamba said.She added that data revealed that the most common location of the first incident of sexual violence in childhood is the school and home, places that are deemed safe, and most common perpetrators of first incidence of sexual violence in childhood are close friends, of which 30% are family members.National prevalence of violence“The country now has an estimate of the national prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual violence in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.“Risk and protective factors for physical, emotional and sexual violence against children and youth in Namibia were identified. Health and social consequences associated with violence against children and youth in Namibia were also identified,” Andjamba noted.She further said there is a need for knowledge and utilisation of medical, psychosocial, legal and protective services available for children and youth who have experienced violence.

Violence against children endemic in Namibia

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Violence against children endemic in Namibia

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Login