Violence against children in Namibia remains alarmingly high, despite the government’s ongoing commitment to eradicating it. The 2019 Namibia Violence Against Children and Youth Survey revealed that nearly 40% of girls and 45% of boys experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood, with physical violence being the most prevalent. Before turning 18, 32.9% of girls and 41.2% of boys reported experiencing physical abuse.
Many victims of violence do not seek assistance. Only about half of children and young people who face physical violence disclose it, and even fewer report abuse formally. Awareness of available support is low, with only 32% of girls and 35.2% of boys knowing where to seek help, and approximately 15% of all children actually receiving support.
Namibia has been recognized as a pioneer in child protection, adopting proactive measures to combat violence against children and developing national plans backed by dedicated resources. The country maintains a robust policy and legislative framework to protect women and children from violence, exploitation, and abuse.
Despite these efforts, there is an urgent need to improve service delivery and strengthen multisectoral coordination. The adoption of the Global Responding to Child Maltreatment: A Clinical Handbook for Health Professionals underscores Namibia’s political commitment to safeguarding every child’s safety and well-being.
The Namibian edition of the Responding to Violence Against Children: A Clinical Handbook for Health Professionals was officially launched on 26 September during the commemoration of the Day of the Namibian Child. The launch highlighted the country’s efforts to standardize services for child victims of abuse, ensuring that children receive consistent, high-quality care, protection, and dignity, regardless of whether they seek help at a hospital, police station, or with a social worker.
Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Honorable Linda Mbwale, emphasized that the guidelines bridge global best practices with Namibia’s local context, equipping professionals to respond in culturally and contextually appropriate ways while upholding international standards.
The launch also recognized the partnership between the Japanese government, WHO, and the Namibian government in strengthening the health sector. From 2019 to 2024, the Japanese government contributed up to USD 2 million to support various initiatives, including a USD 500,000 project in 2024 aimed at increasing access to quality nutrition and protection services for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. The clinical handbook was developed under this project to enhance clinical care and promote patient-centered services.
Dr. Richard Banda, WHO Representative, praised Namibia’s commitment to ending violence against children and highlighted the importance of early detection and intervention. He noted that healthcare professionals and social workers play a critical role in recognizing signs of abuse, and early identification allows for prompt action to prevent further harm and promote overall child well-being. He emphasized that addressing violence against children requires collaboration across multiple professional sectors.
The launch event was attended by hundreds of children from local schools in Swakopmund, including youth leaders from various organizations. WHO reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Namibian government to strengthen the health workforce’s capacity to respond effectively to violence against children.
