Josefine Amutenya, a registered nurse in northern Namibia, is dedicated to empowering the girl child through her skills, compassion and personal experiences.
A native of Oshondo in Ombalantu, she grew up with minimal material possessions but a profound sense of empathy.
“My mother didn’t have much, yet she always emphasised the value of sharing. I learned early on that a generous hand is never empty,” Amutenya recalled, reflecting on the foundational values her mother instilled in her.
These teachings have significantly influenced her adult life, igniting her passion to assist others, particularly young girls facing societal and health hardships.
She has worked as a nurse for the past seven years, encountering numerous patients with various health conditions.
However, it was the struggles of teenage girls dealing with the aftermath of early pregnancies that particularly touched her heart.
“I witnessed how lost and anxious these young girls were. It deeply saddened me,” she stated.
Inspired by her experiences, Amutenya launched an initiative called ‘Empowering a Namibian Girl Child’ during her spare time, which is focused on educating and supporting young girls across Namibia at no cost.
Through this initiative, she applies her nursing expertise to guide girls through vital health topics, such as teenage pregnancy, menstruation, mental health, self-esteem, substance abuse and peer pressure.
She highlighted the importance of expressing personal struggles, assuring girls that they are never alone.
“Many of these girls contact me on my personal phone, often anonymously, just to talk. I do this with no expectations of anything in return. I genuinely want to support them,” she shared.
Many of these girls later express their gratitude, returning to thank her for helping them in their darkest moments.
In addition to education and counselling, she prioritises donating clothes to babies in need.
Working in the maternity and post-natal wards of a local hospital, she has witnessed the challenges faced by young mothers.
Tragically, some babies are left by their mothers who do not survive childbirth.
In these challenging circumstances, Amutenya provides what she can, such as clothing, blankets, and love, for these vulnerable lives.
“I’ve realised how much a small gesture of support can mean to these young mothers and their babies,” she reflected.
Her compassion has made a significant impact on both young girls and mothers, many of whom feel overlooked by society.
Beyond her initiatives, Amutenya is collaborating with ‘Pewa Care Humanitarian’, a non-governmental organisation, to supply essential sanitary products to young girls in rural Namibian schools.
Their project aims to donate 2 000 sanitary pads to 2 000 girls in two schools.
This is to ensure that these young girls can manage menstruation with dignity and comfort.
The National Institute of Health revealed that Namibia reported 56 300 cases of teenage pregnancies from 2018 to 2021, surpassing the number of students eligible for university education.
This number was only 37 480 during the same timeframe.
In the first two months of 2022, there were over 2 400 reported cases of teenage pregnancies nationwide.
Statistics released in 2024 by Angolo Angolo’s chief health programme officer for family health revealed that the Ohangwena region recorded 9 077 girls under 19.
These girls fell pregnant between January 2020 and April 2024.
Authorities in the region described the situation at that time as a crisis, highlighting 283 pregnant girls under 14.
The youngest girl was just nine at the time.
“I am committed to uplifting others, especially the younger generation. Empowering our girls is tantamount to empowering the future of our nation,” Amutenya asserted.
Through her work, she is not only healing bodies as a nurse but also mending hearts and minds – one Namibian girl at a time.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na