In a series of articles New Era will review key result areas identified under the new National Development Plan 3.
By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK
One of the key result areas identified in the third National Development Plan (spanning 2007/08 to 2011/12) is the attainment of equality through equitable access to basic social and welfare services.
Important in this quest, is the provision of access to these services to the vulnerable and marginalised segments of society, stated the National Planning Commission (NPC).
The Namibian Government further identified the need to reduce inequalities in social welfare, to instill a culture and morality especially among the youth, and gender equality.
The vulnerable and marginalised groups are identified to include the elderly (those of 60 years and older) constituting about seven percent of the total population; people with disabilities (four percent of the population); orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) under the age of 15 (numbered at about 97 000 in 2001 and expected to increase to 250 000 by 2012); children at risk of child labour, exploitation and abuse; women (accounting for 51.3 percent);
the youth (those between 15 and 30, forming about one-third of the population); and those affected by substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse.
Progress Made During NDP2 Period
Gains made during the second development period were mixed.
It was intended for 95 percent of the elderly to receive social grants, but only 82 percent were reached.
A similar target was set for people with disabilities, but only 40.8 percent were covered, and rehabilitation, job creation opportunities and increased access to public facilities to this sub-group, did not materialise.
During NDP2 government assistance to OVC was provided in the form of foster parent allowances, subsidies to welfare organisations, and maintenance grants to children’s homes and places of safety.
And while child labour practices – inclusive of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) – were not dealt with as a specific issue, other crosscutting issues such as poverty and hunger, the reduced spread of HIV/AIDS and its effects and increased gender equality, were addressed.
However, according to the 1999 Namibia Child Activities Survey (NCAS), 23 percent of children in rural areas were working, as opposed to 2.3 percent in urban centres. Of these, 40ǟ