Children are the future of society in that they are tomorrow’s adults, who will then mould their families. It is befitting that we look at the challenges they face, especially when their mental safety is under attack.

There is a saying that goes, “A child is like a blanket sheet of paper on which every passerby makes a mark”.

In essence, every child is a product of their environment. All actions carried on around them have a bearing on their current behaviour, and their comprehension of means to deal with the various scenarios life throws at us.

In 2018, Namibia was ranked seventh in Africa for child friendliness, an index developed by the United Nations Committee for the Rights of the Child. This speaks volumes about where our country has strived to ensure the wellness of our children. The same report, however, rates Namibia ninth in Africa for child protection.

Yet, despite these apparent victories, almost on a weekly basis, we read reports of crimes inflicted on children, or by themselves. Thirty-six children are reported to have committed suicide within the last three years. Rapes and assaults on this defenceless future of our nation continue unabated.

In order for there to be a means to tackle the problem, there needs to be a holistic view on what creates this environment for these children. Once these are identified, it becomes easier to develop strategies which will allow for the mitigation and eventual elimination of these tragic events.

There are multiple facets that impact the wellbeing of the Namibian child.

With the advent of the internet, the “game” has evolved. Children are no longer only influenced or impacted by their immediate surroundings. The entire globe is brought within reach of their fingertips, allowing access to vast swathes of information which cannot always be adequately monitored. Children emulate what they see, and if what they see is negative, that is what they are copying. Migration has increased significantly in the past 30 years, owing to a myriad of push and pull factors. The Namibia Vital Statistics Report earlier this year reported that 84% of children registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security by April 2024 were born by single parents. Furthermore, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), one in eight girls and women alive today have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.

Children find themselves among different people with different beliefs and values. There is no end in sight for orphans and child-headed families, and special mention needs to be made of the AIDS pandemic, malaria and cholera outbreaks in the face of dwindling resources.

I believe there should be a concerted effort to address these issues in children at an early age. Children are being more exposed to adult emotions at even younger ages. As such, strategies should be developed to tackle this appropriately. It is of essence that they are exposed to the right information. Career guidance, bridging lessons, remediation skills training and formal learning classes are some of the options for society to consider. 

Educate parents and carers on signs to look out for in the event a child is being troubled. Only through such can this scourge be removed from our land, and our country’s future be granted a fighting chance to plot and lead Namibia to greater heights.

*Reverend Jan A Scholtz is the former chairperson of the //Kharas Regional Council, and former! Nami#nus constituency councillor. He holds a Diploma in Theology, B-Theo (SA), a Diploma in Youth Work and Development from the University of Zambia (UNZA), as well as a Diploma in Education III (KOK) BA (HED) from UNISA.