Marriage expertise isn’t measured by a ring on the finger

Minister James Sankwasa was at it again this past weekend, in his now familiar style, declaring that only married social workers should provide marriage counselling. According to him, the unmarried must keep quiet - because without personal marital experience, they are supposedly unqualified to advise others. It was James Sankwasa in his element. In Namibia, where gender-based violence remains a pressing and pervasive challenge, this stance is not just outdated - it is dangerous.Counselling is a profession grounded in training, evidence, and empathy. It is informed by psychological insight, ethical practice, and skills honed to navigate complex family dynamics - not by whether a practitioner wears a wedding ring. Claiming that marital status alone confers expertise conveys a fundamental misunderstanding of what effective guidance requires. While traditional practices and elder mediation have cultural value, they cannot substitute for professional counselling. The minister’s romanticisation of “the old days,” when family elders supposedly handled marital disputes, ignores the structural inequalities of the past. Elders often lacked safeguards against abuse and, in patriarchal systems, could perpetuate the oppression of women and children. Namibia’s history - and today’s alarming rates of gender-based violence - make it clear: tradition alone is insufficient and unsafe.To suggest that social workers are unqualified because they are unmarried undermines both their professionalism and the critical role they play in protecting vulnerable Namibians.Minister Sankwasa’s remarks may have been intended to glorify tradition, but they ultimately endanger those who need professional guidance the most. But marriage counselling is not about who has been married; it is about who is trained to help, listen, and intervene - and that is what keeps families safe. If the minister cannot stick to evidence-based positions in public, he should at least stick to his written script.

Marriage expertise isn’t measured by a ring on the finger

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-29

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Marriage expertise isn’t measured by a ring on the finger

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-29

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