Protect our Namibian children - Venaani
Approximately one billion children suffer from violence every year.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani said this in his contribution in the National Assembly on the motion for the safety and protection of children in Namibia.
He said studies show nearly three out of four children – or 300 million children aged between two and four years old – regularly suffer from physical punishment and physiological violence.
Venaani pointed out that children have the potential to bring incredible change to the world.
"But first we need to recognise their values and ensure that Namibian children are protected."
He believes that a world without violence against children is possible.
Speak up
Venaani said Namibia has national and global legal instruments that place significant emphasis on the protection of Namibian children and uphold their best interests.
"Despite all of the legal instruments, Namibian children continue to suffer at the hands of those who are entrusted to protect them."
He said recognising the signs of child abuse is the first important step for everyone to ensure that early intervention can be put in place to actively stop abuse from taking place or going further.
"It is important that we speak out against child abuse and violence."
He said it is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard children, protect them from harm, and promote their well-being.
Big problem
Venaani said child abuse can have a lasting impact and prevent adults from being successful, happy, and contributing to the community.
"Therefore, it is important that we protect all children, to protect their happiness, their right to be a child, and their right to a bright future with endless opportunities. To protect the children is to protect the future."
The Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) in 2019 reported that among 18- to 24-year-olds, 39.6% of women and 45% of men had experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional violence in childhood.
Overall, 11.8% of girls have experienced childhood sexual violence (including unwanted sexual touching, attempted sex in childhood, pressured or coerced sex in childhood, as well as physically forced sexual encounters), while 7.3% of boys experienced the same.
The 2022 Disrupting Harm survey focusing on online child sexual exploitation and abuse reported that 9% of internet users aged 12 to 17 in Namibia were subjected to clear examples of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This amounts to roughly 20 000 children per year.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani said this in his contribution in the National Assembly on the motion for the safety and protection of children in Namibia.
He said studies show nearly three out of four children – or 300 million children aged between two and four years old – regularly suffer from physical punishment and physiological violence.
Venaani pointed out that children have the potential to bring incredible change to the world.
"But first we need to recognise their values and ensure that Namibian children are protected."
He believes that a world without violence against children is possible.
Speak up
Venaani said Namibia has national and global legal instruments that place significant emphasis on the protection of Namibian children and uphold their best interests.
"Despite all of the legal instruments, Namibian children continue to suffer at the hands of those who are entrusted to protect them."
He said recognising the signs of child abuse is the first important step for everyone to ensure that early intervention can be put in place to actively stop abuse from taking place or going further.
"It is important that we speak out against child abuse and violence."
He said it is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard children, protect them from harm, and promote their well-being.
Big problem
Venaani said child abuse can have a lasting impact and prevent adults from being successful, happy, and contributing to the community.
"Therefore, it is important that we protect all children, to protect their happiness, their right to be a child, and their right to a bright future with endless opportunities. To protect the children is to protect the future."
The Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) in 2019 reported that among 18- to 24-year-olds, 39.6% of women and 45% of men had experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional violence in childhood.
Overall, 11.8% of girls have experienced childhood sexual violence (including unwanted sexual touching, attempted sex in childhood, pressured or coerced sex in childhood, as well as physically forced sexual encounters), while 7.3% of boys experienced the same.
The 2022 Disrupting Harm survey focusing on online child sexual exploitation and abuse reported that 9% of internet users aged 12 to 17 in Namibia were subjected to clear examples of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This amounts to roughly 20 000 children per year.
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Namibian Sun
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