Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Office of the Ombudsman has condemned practices perpetrated against children, including rape, molestation, teenage pregnancies and child labour.
Ombudsman spokesperson Aurelia David in a statement yesterday said their office is highly concerned about harmful traditional and cultural practices in Africa.
She said this in light of the Day of the African Child, which was celebrated yesterday.
“We call upon governments to strengthen the legal framework to protect children from such practices,” David said.
She said children belong in school, in terms of article 20 of the Constitution, and all harmful practices that hinder African children from reaching their true potential should be eliminated.
Meanwhile, the police yesterday said they have committed to eliminating harmful practices affecting children.
This year, the day was commemorated under the theme ‘Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practice Since 2013’.
National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi yesterday said harmful traditional practices are a violation of children’s rights.
“We have young girls surrendered to forced marriages and trafficked to become sex slaves or labourers. These practices are all a violation of their rights as human beings and that is what we are against and want to eliminate,” she said.
Shikwambi said abolishing some of the norms and practices may be difficult, but the police would continue to educate children while protecting them.
The Namibian last month reported that the police’s hands are tied when it comes to acting on cases of sexual activity between elderly men and minors in the Zambezi region.
Such relationships are often known to parents and involve financial gains, the police have said.
Rivaldo Kavanga, chairperson of the children’s parliament, yesterday said on Desert Radio 95.3 FM harmful practices affecting children have become an epidemic in the country.
“The issue of children being raped has become so general that I would consider it as a practice,” he said.
Kavanga said child labour is another harmful practice mainly found in rural areas.
“To protect children from harmful practices I believe the government needs to do more,” he said.
The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare has indicated it plans to host seminars this year with traditional authorities, children’s representatives and other key stakeholders to address the elimination of child marriage.
This was announced by minister Doreen Sioka at Rundu on Thursday.
In a speech read on her behalf, Sioka said the ministry is also busy animating and translating the Child Care and Protection Act into local languages to ensure children are able to understand the law.
She said rights, however, go along with responsibilities.
“I therefore urge you to say no to harmful practices affecting you,” she said.
Deputy minister of sport, youth and national service Emma Kantema-Gaomas said the day presents an opportunity to take stock of what has been done with regard to the adoption of policies and practices.
She said this yesterday at the launch of the market assessment report in Windhoek
“The incidence of harmful cultural practices continues to violate the rights of children,” she said.
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