Girls in Namibia face higher rates of reported violence over 10 years
via The Namibian4 min read
A new government report in Namibia reveals that girls consistently experienced higher rates of reported violence than boys between 2014 and 2023. The Namibia Child Care and Protection Statistics Report, launched by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, indicates an annual average of 1,252 cases of violence against girls compared to 711 for boys during this period. Minister Emma Kantema stated the report provides evidence on cases handled by social workers and the services provided to children in need of care and protection, emphasizing its role in strengthening interventions. The data covers various forms of violence, including kidnapping, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and trafficking. The highest number of reported cases for girls was 1,698 in 2023, while the lowest was 677 in 2021. A decline in reported cases between 2019 and 2021 may be attributed to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker suggests the gender disparity could be linked to social norms that increase girls' vulnerability to certain abuses, such as sexual violence and exploitation, while cases involving boys might be under-reported due to stigma. He recommends stronger child protection systems, safe reporting spaces, and community programs to address harmful gender norms. German Neumbo, chairperson of the education and information and communication technology committee for the children鈥檚 parliament, highlighted the need for effective implementati
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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Young Namibian men are susceptible to financial exploitation due to economic hardship and unequal power dynamics, with societal expectations preventing them from seeking help, according to University of Namibia senior sociology lecturer Ellison Tjirera. Tjirera notes that some older women, referred to as 'sugar mummies', exploit young men struggling with basic needs, and wealthy men also target young men. He emphasizes that the core issue is power imbalance, not gender, and that economic realities like rent, tuition, and living expenses push young men into these situations. Mental health advocate Elago Nantana states there are no statistics on the 'blesser' phenomenon involving young men because society expects them to be strong and self-reliant, leading them to remain silent. Nantana argues this issue is a predictable outcome of economic design, not a failure of young men. He adds that young men are often not seen as victims, especially when money or survival is involved, and feel marginalized, believing gender-based violence responses focus solely on women and girls. Nantana suggests Namibia improve awareness and mental health services by providing protective shelters for all genders, as male survivors often lack access. 4x4 Boys Initiative founder Sidney Boois advocates for sustained male engagement programs, better counselling, anonymous reporting systems, and public education on constitutional rights to ensure accountability for perpetrators.