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06 December 2021
Namibia makes Strides towards Intra-African Trade, at Workshop to Validate the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy
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06 December 2021
UN Namibia Convenes 3rd Sustainable Development Dialogue Series (SDDS) on Financing Food Security with International Financial Institutions (IFIs)
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05 December 2021
SDG Book Club Interview Series: Abdullahi Ismaila
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Namibia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Namibia.
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16 November 2021
Future Leaders take on MUN
Last week, the United Nations Namibia and the British High Commission in Namibia jointly hosted the MUN High School Conference from 10 – 11 November.
The 60 Precocious learners from public and private schools in Windhoek, representing 30 different countries, simulated a UN General Assembly discussion on “the role of fossil fuel production in the climate crisis”.
“It is fitting that this conference has taken place now to engage the youth of Namibia, at the same time that the world meets in Glasgow for COP26,” said Charlotte Fenton, Deputy British High Commissioner.
She emphasised the importance that this experience gives to youth, not only in core diplomatic and negotiating skills, but using the platform to boost the power of their voices in tackling this critical global issue.
The COP26 summit, which took place from 31 October – 12 November 2021 brought nations together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP26 crucially called for renewed solidarity among nations and the youth at the MUN got first-hand experience on how multilateral dialogue is crucial to addressing global issues.
“I believe Model UN is a stepping-stone for young people to take their place in civic engagement as global citizens. We are bringing attention to a subject on which urgent youth leadership and action is vital in Namibia and the world at large to ensure the survival of the planet”, said Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia.
MUN helps students develop public speaking, writing and research skills, and very often, it is the first entry point in learning about the United Nations and its development agenda.
After three rounds of grueling lobbying and deliberations, the assembly finally managed to adopt a resolution on the second day of the conference.
Sponsored by The People’s Republic of China, The Russian Federation; The Arab Republic of Egypt; Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil, the resolution called for countries to replace 60% usage of fossil fuels by using alternative energies such as renewable energy by 2030, investing in solar and wind farms, hydropower stations, geothermal energy”.
Several learners received awards for their respective stand-out performances. Joint “Best Delegate” winners - as voted by fellow delegates - Moses Filipus from Jan Möhr High School and Yanessa Oliveira from Concordia High Schools, were congratulated by Anthea Basson, Head of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek, for their consistency throughout the conference. The Model United Nations in Namibia is a flagship educational programme of the UNIC Windhoek.
Basson also announced the winners for Best Delegation, Prince David from Combretum Trust School and Christiaan Prinsloo from Windhoek High School, who received trophies in addition to trees to plant at their respective schools.
It was the first MUN Conference for many delegates a number rose to the occasion.
“It wasn’t my decision to do it, my debate teacher was the one who told me I should and I am thankful he did cause I did have so much fun and I appreciate the experience – I learned a lot about what is currently going on in the world”, said Prince David.”
“Best Speaker” was awarded to Zest Hill, from Windhoek Gymnasium, while Vimbayi Musavengana from Windhoek International School won the “Special Recognition Award”.
The winning delegates handed over the resolution passed in the assembly to the Deputy High Commissioner, along with a work of art created by Nambowa Malua. The artist transformed doodles and phrases from delegates into a striking image as way for all to remember the conference and the ideals fostered during the conference among the learners.
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24 October 2021
Call for Applications: UNDEF funding for Civil Society Organizations
The UN Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for project funding. Project proposals may be submitted on-line in English or French, the two working languages of the UN, between 4 November 2021 and 6 December 2021 at www.un.org/democracyfund. You can find guidelines, FAQs and lessons learned for applicants HERE.
UNDEF supports projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. Most UNDEF funding goes to local civil society organizations. In this way, UNDEF plays a distinct role in complementing the UN's other work -- the work with Governments -- to strengthen democratic governance around the world. This is the Sixteenth Round to be launched by UNDEF, which provides grants of up to US$300,000 per two-year project.
Since 2006, UNDEF has supported more than 800 two-year projects in over 100 countries at a total amount of over US$200 million. Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous selection process, with fewer than two per cent of proposals chosen for funding.
For this Round, UNDEF invites project proposals covering one or more of any of its eight thematic areas:
Women’s Empowerment
Community activism
Rule of law and human rights
Youth engagement
Strengthening civil society interaction with Government
Media and freedom of information
Tools for knowledge
Electoral processes
Click here to view a sample of what the UNDEF proposal form will require.
The UNDEF is a Trust Fund established through voluntary contributions from Member States, under the authority of the Secretary-General. UNDEF is guided by its Advisory Board, which includes representatives of Member States, eminent academics and global civil society leaders. Thus, participation in the activities of UNDEF bestows prestige to all its stakeholders and signifies for its beneficiaries a high level of political commitment to democratic values.
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08 November 2021
Building Community Resilience one Tree at a Time
Community gardens have become a popular and sustainable tool to address hunger in Namibia. Drawing inspiration from similar initiatives, the United Nations (UN) Namibia celebrated the 76th anniversary of UN Day by supporting a garden project at the Katutura Aftercare Centre in Windhoek.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare administers the Centre and the shelter often houses around 500 street children at a time. Along with gardening, the centre also offers programs such as drama classes, psychosocial support, school and family integration.
Food insecurity is a harsh reality in Namibia exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change – leaving the most vulnerable populations in perilous predicaments. A sustainable and productive gardening project brings an impressive array of benefits in this time of economic precariousness.
Sen Pang, the UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia expressed that it is a privilege to commemorate UN Day with the After-School Centre family and underscored the importance of being in the heart of the community.
“It is here where we live the values enshrined in the UN Charter, where we work for the people, doing the work by the people”.
Special adviser to the First Lady of Namibia Dr Veronica Theron highlighted a number of activities to protect vulnerable people in our communities, from speaking out on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to advocating for social safety nets.
This informal engagement allowed attendees to see the real world impact of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mentioned in the statements of speakers.
As a global representive for her country Annerie Maré, Miss Namibia World 2021, reflected on the urgency and her passion for advancing the (SDGs) in Namibia. She particularly voiced her will to champion causes related to SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation in Namibia.
Children from the Centre put their talents on display via an enthusiastic wrestling demonstration and a competitive basketball match.
In addition to setting up sustainable gardens to support food security and sustainable food production by planting fruit trees, UNCT also donated gardening tools, children’s literature, sport equipment and educational games and providing minor improvements at the centre.
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16 November 2021
SDG Book Club Interview Series: Godfrey Edusei Derkyi
A prolific writer, Edusei Derkyi is the author of several books including "Aboakyer - The Hunt of the Efutu People", "Ramblings of My Mind - an Anthology of 45 Life Poems" and "Yaaba - A day in the Life of an African Child". Derkyi's love for music has lead to him incorporating songs into his works - a reflection of the pivotal role music plays in the everyday life of the African.
He recently met with the SDG Book Club to discuss his thoughts on education, imagination and his book, The Adventures of Hurricane & Tornado.
How long have you been writing children’s books?
My first book was published in 2010; it was historical fiction. Since then I have published four others. One is an anthology of life poems. This was followed by a sequel to my first book. My first children’s book is: Yaaba – A Day in the Life of an African child. It was published in 2015. My second and current children’s book, The Adventures of Hurricane & Tornado, is the first episode of a series.
What inspired you to take up the SDG challenge?
For 10 years I volunteered support for the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation Thank You Small Libraries (TYSL) program in Ghana. This was a program for Quality Education. I worked closely with Ambassador Dho Young-Shim of Korea, and facilitated the establishing of over 40 libraries for basic schools in Ghana. My inspiration to take up the SDG Challenge and to write for kids developed out of my experiences with the TYSL program. Touring the countryside and interacting with kids of deprived schools across the length and breadth of Ghana, I realized the need for more reading content that address the SDG objectives with close to true life literature to impact readers. My purpose is not only to impart knowledge but to also inspire confidence in our children. I want them to explore with purpose and to become change agents and I want to engender in them the “can do” and “bold to do” spirit.
The main focus of the SDG Book Club is to inform and educate children. How you were able to create a fusion of entertainment, education, and information to advance children’s understanding of the concerns of quality education? The SDG seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
I guess it is the art of a good story teller to fuse these three cardinal purposes of writing in his or her work. I bounced my work off my two girls who are 10 and 8 years to assess how targeted my work is. It is a challenge to catch the attention of small children. It requires weaving sub-team into the main theme to hold their attention.
How do you carry out research for your book?
In writing I rely on my own life experiences and on observation of subject activities. I conduct interviews. I study similar works. The internet is a good research tool too.
Describe the process of visualising and painting the main character of the story?
The main characters are based on my two daughters who are eight and ten years old. The two inspired the story of Hurricane and Tornado.
What feeds your imagination, when you make illustrations for book?
The illustrations in this book are pretty much technical drawings and design concepts and did not require abstracts.
Tell us something about the main character
The main characters, Hurricane & Tornado are two girls, ten and eight years old. Set on a course of changing things for the better, they are cast as having enquiring minds and extraordinary drive in putting into practice what they learn. Born into the average family straddling the affluent and the poor; they attend a public school in a small town. This characterization is intended to make it easy for most young readers to identify with them and what they do.
Is there an underlying true story, or was the book basically a product of your imagination?
The book draws on my own childhood experiences growing up in Suhum in the 1960s and 1970s. I encountered many of the everyday challenges the SDGs advocate and try to remedy. Adventures of Hurricane and Tornado, Episode One focuses on the concerns of Goals 3 & 4, Good Health and Quality Education. Episode Two which is yet to be published, focuses on Goal 6 - Clean Water. The series draws on a combination of my real life experiences and imagination. Urbanization has changed the setting of Episode One in many ways from those days, but the narration holds true for many other rural locations in Ghana today.
So far, what has being a writer been like?
It has been exciting. It is rewarding to literally transform abstract ideas into a form of reality. The interesting aspect is when the story decides on its own to go off track and begins to tell itself. The craft to bring it back on track without compromising the new perspectives it introduces, is part of the challenge of story-telling.
Growing up, what was your ambition in life?
As a child I wanted to be a doctor; a surgeon. I changed my mind and entered the university to study social sciences. I could not stand the sight of blood. I ended up in banking and finance.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I specialized in construction and home mortgage finance. I am currently the Founder and CEO of Housing Partnerships Africa Limited. We provide housing advisory services to governments and real estate entrepreneurs. My hobby is music and I am a choral music enthusiast.
What advice would you give to young readers across the continent?
The message of this book to the young reader is to recognize that many of you have roles to play in the process of bringing solutions to the challenges faced by your communities. Government begins at the community where needs are felt daily. Central governments often take long in responding. The youth, in community, can in small ways contribute your quota to the resolution of some of the Sustainable Development Goals. The axiom in our days as kids was, “Brighten the corner where you are”; We sang it; we marched to it and we implemented it.
This story was written by Zion Rufus and Dalmilare Tella for Borders Literature for All Nations, one of the organizing members of the SDG Book Club African Chapter.
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26 October 2021
Improving Port Security in Luderitz
Bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Namibia occupies a strategic location within the South Atlantic Ocean region and is part of several international trading routes. As a result, Namibia’s economy is highly dependent on the sea and its ports.
The country’s two main ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz serve as important bases for fishing, offshore diamond mining, the growing oil and gas sector and fruit industries. Enhancing compliance with international norms on port security and safety of navigation across Namibia is crucial to increasing maritime trade and can bring benefits to the whole region by lowering transportation costs and making exports more competitive in distant markets. Over the past year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has delivered regular training sessions to strengthen law enforcement at Namibia’s ports. This training has included sessions delivered by the UNODC Container Control Programme (CCP) on cargo inspection, prevention of wildlife trafficking, and detecting counterfeit vaccines.Last September the Port Control Unit supported by UNODC CCP was officially launched at Namibia’s largest port in Walvis Bay.
Whilst most training activities focus on the major port facility in Walvis Bay, on October 14 th , the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) expanded training further afield, conducting its first ever capacity building activity in Namibia at the port of Lüderitz. This training was carried out as part of the EU-funded Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, which is coordinated by Indian Ocean Commission and implemented in partnership with the International Maritime Organization and INTERPOL. Twenty-five representatives from Namibia Fisheries, Port Authority, Police, Revenue Agency, Navy, Special Forces and Ministry of Transport and Works attended the two-week training covering both practical and theoretical material. The training focused on interagency collaboration and incident management and included a waterside and anchorage area security assessment of the Lüderitz port, as well as a dialogue between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and local law enforcement officers on how to prevent and respond to crimes occurring in and around the port.
After completing training in Lüderitz, UNODC GMCP relocated to Walvis Bay, where similar topics will be addressed during next coming month of November.
The country’s two main ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz serve as important bases for fishing, offshore diamond mining, the growing oil and gas sector and fruit industries. Enhancing compliance with international norms on port security and safety of navigation across Namibia is crucial to increasing maritime trade and can bring benefits to the whole region by lowering transportation costs and making exports more competitive in distant markets. Over the past year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has delivered regular training sessions to strengthen law enforcement at Namibia’s ports. This training has included sessions delivered by the UNODC Container Control Programme (CCP) on cargo inspection, prevention of wildlife trafficking, and detecting counterfeit vaccines.Last September the Port Control Unit supported by UNODC CCP was officially launched at Namibia’s largest port in Walvis Bay.
Whilst most training activities focus on the major port facility in Walvis Bay, on October 14 th , the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) expanded training further afield, conducting its first ever capacity building activity in Namibia at the port of Lüderitz. This training was carried out as part of the EU-funded Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, which is coordinated by Indian Ocean Commission and implemented in partnership with the International Maritime Organization and INTERPOL. Twenty-five representatives from Namibia Fisheries, Port Authority, Police, Revenue Agency, Navy, Special Forces and Ministry of Transport and Works attended the two-week training covering both practical and theoretical material. The training focused on interagency collaboration and incident management and included a waterside and anchorage area security assessment of the Lüderitz port, as well as a dialogue between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and local law enforcement officers on how to prevent and respond to crimes occurring in and around the port.
After completing training in Lüderitz, UNODC GMCP relocated to Walvis Bay, where similar topics will be addressed during next coming month of November.
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06 December 2021
UN Namibia Convenes 3rd Sustainable Development Dialogue Series (SDDS) on Financing Food Security with International Financial Institutions (IFIs)
The SDDS, an initiative of UN Namibia, seeks to foster multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary exchange of knowledge and information on contemporary issues that influence the achievement of the SDGs.
This Dialogue of UN Namibia’s SDDS follows-up on the Namibia National Dialogues, mobilizing support for strengthening the Food System in Namibia, during this Decade of Action for the SDGs. The National Dialogues aim to shape the national pathways to sustainable food systems and express the commitment to support the pathways from a broad range of stakeholders. They provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage in preparations for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit to be convened by the UN Secretary General at the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September in New York. The overall objective of the Food Systems Summit is to launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems. The 3rd SDSS was moderated by Ms. Farayi Zimudidzi, Representative of FAO Namibia and Chair of the Economic Progression Pillar of the United Nations Partnership Agreement Framework (UNPAF). Mr. Elvis Odeke, Head of Programmes at WFP Namibia presented the Key Messages Emerging from the Namibia National Food Systems Summit Dialogues.
Financing is one of the game changers of the Food System in Namibia: IFIs represented at the SDDS, included the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank (WB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Dr. Charles Mr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, Representative of WHO Namibia and Chair of the Programme Management Team (PMT) presented the UNPAF providing the context under which the Dialogue for held, towards development finance cooperation.
In her Opening Remarks, Ms. Wilencia Uiras, Executive Director of the National Planning Commission (NPC), expressed that “the National Food Systems Summit Dialogues will play a vital role in the realization of the Vision 2030, emphasizing that at the core of this ideal is the promotion and safeguarding of people’s wellbeing, and improving the quality of lives of all Namibians... the SDDS will play a major role in informing policy directives and prescriptions that will eventually lead to the realization of Vision 2030 and the SDGs and encouraged all stakeholders to continue actively participating on such platforms.”
Mr. Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator (RC) at UN Namibia, in his Welcome Remarks noted that “the UN highly values the strengthening of strategic engagement of UN Country Teams (UNCTs) with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Development Partners. IFIs are a key stakeholder in the achievement of the SDGs, during this Decade of Action for the Goals, come 2030. Namibia as an upper-middle income country faces challenges mobilizing affordable development finance. As such, all efforts through various modalities of cooperation, including joint analysis, joint advocacy; capacity building; procurement & delivery of services; dialogues, while Leaving No One Behind-LNOB, are critical. There is need to further our support to the Government in absorbing the COVID-19 shock; as well as other ongoing shocks – especially as they impact food systems in Namibia, through joint response and recovery actions, while enhancing sustainable development and long-term resilience. UN Namibia is exploring options together with IFIs, on how to unlock financial resources for more dynamic food systems in Namibia. ”
Mr. Neeraj Vij Division Manager, RDGS2, speaking on behalf of Mr. Kennedy Mbekeani, Deputy Director General at the African Development Bank Group, expressed that in alignment with the SDGs, AfDB is focused on 5 priority areas: Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa with an end of accelerating Africa’s transformation Agenda. AfDB has a strong partner for Namibia in its growth and has 10 on-going operations with a total commitment of US USD 807 million, the average age of the portfolio is 3.2 years, including 6 debts instruments and 4 grant instruments. The bank is in regular discussion with government to strengthen its presence in the country and several additional initiatives which are to be implemented in the forthcoming years…The bank’s participation at the UNFSS is aimed at contributing at the dialogue and debates with other stakeholders to shape the agenda, taking stock of new challenges, taking into consideration the new approach, which is promoted by Food systems, better defining the Bank’s coalitions, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Action, contributing to preparing and pitching innovative and game-changing solutions at the Pre-summit in Rome.
The Bank aims to materialize its participation with two -game changing solutions: 1) a multi-donor funded facility to provide catalytic financing for high bank agri-food SMEs, 2) a facility for financing food and nutrition security in Africa to scale food production technologies and extension advisory services, promote access to markets, development of wholesale markets, hard and soft market infrastructure, better logistics, food safety and agriculture research and development.
Mr. Bekele Debele, Program Leader, Infrastructure & Sustainable Development, speaking on behalf of Ms. Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, Country Director, AECSI- at the World Bank, complemented that the Bank deploys several instruments in terms of supporting government and the private sector. Proper financing is required, to deliver high-performing, equitable food systems. There is an urgent need to curb $12 trillion hidden social, economic & environmental costs, there is a need to unlock $4.5 trillion in new business opportunities, recovery from Covid-19 through sustainable livelihoods, zero hunger, protected nature & climate resiliency. Although ending hunger by 2030 could cost approximately $160 billion per year for global impacts, including keeping global warming below 1.5° while protecting nature, could cost $300 to $400 billion annually, the costs of not acting are much more. There are eight imperatives to unlock $4.5 trillion for food finance architecture: 1) Redirect public subsidies, 2) integrate climate, health & social, 3) Institutional mechanisms, 4) Innovative financial instruments, 5) De-risk investments, 6) Finance for producers & SMEs, 7) Equitable employment, 8) Incentivize natural capital.
Key World Bank initiatives in Namibia include: 1)Analytical and advisory work focusing on sustainable and climate resilient Namibian food systems including production and value chains (e.g., NDC implementation support, livestock value chain); 2) Identifying & redesigning policy incentives combined with fiscal space for innovation and productivity gains that lower GHG emissions, cost of production & food prices; 3) Leveraging credit guarantee program for agriculture sector SMEs that encourage commercial banks and Fin-techs’ on-lending; 4)Potential for developing cluster-based spatial-focused programs that include intra-regional connectivity between growth poles.
Mr. Philipp Baumgartner, Country Director for Namibia at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), noted that IFAD is the only specialized UN agency focusing on agriculture development, investing in rural people. Financial modalities for Namibia include: 1)IFAD is accredited for market Borrowing through IFAD membership, Namibia could access market lending and exceptional rates. 2) IFAD is also an accredited institution with a green climate fund and an adaptation fund, aiding governments to access climate finance to drive climate transformative interventions. 3) IFAD is a co-finance player and leverages its position to get other financiers on board in order to strengthen the size of the intervention. This is in addition to Technical and Programmatic Work such as: Reimbursable Technical Assistance; Climate Finance; Regional Lending Operations; and Non-Sovereign Operations.
Ms. Margaret Kambinda, Deputy Executive Director, speaking on behalf of Mr. Percy W. Misika, Executive Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform concluded the Dialogue, highlighting the principles onto which Namibia’s national food system is anchored, including strengthened cooperation and partnerships in information sharing, technology and skills transfer and in resource mobilization in terms funding and capacity building.
For additional information, please contact:
a. Ms. Ericah Shafuda. Senior Advisor, Resource Mobilization, World Food Programme (WFP), UN Namibia (ericah.shafudah@wfp.org ).
b. Ms. Lolita DeAlmeida. Junior Consultant, Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO), UN Namibia (Lolita.DeAlmeida@fao.org ).
c. Ms. Eunice Ajambo. Economist & Development Coordination Officer. UN Resident Coordinators’ Office, UN Namibia (UNN) (ajambo@un.org).
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06 December 2021
Namibia makes Strides towards Intra-African Trade, at Workshop to Validate the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy
Namibia is set to benefit from the AfCFTA. Within the context of Government leadership and UN System-wide support to finalize Namibia’s: 1) Trade in Goods Policy; and 2) Trade in Services Policy, and the 3) Namibia National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy, the country can shape trade policy in a coherent, coordinated, and aligned manner. National AfCFTA strategies underpin the reforms necessary for smooth implementation of the Agreement to maximize national benefits.
Kickstarting the validation workshop was a Media Sensitization event, aimed at building the capacity for the local media to be able to report competently on the implementation of the agreement. As a key stakeholder, their understanding of the technical and operational issues on the AfCFTA Agreement is critical for disseminating information, and raising awareness, including for government, the private sector, cross border traders, government, civil society, women, youth across Namibia on the benefits, challenges and opportunities of the AfCFTA Agreement.
In her Opening Statement, the Deputy Minister, Honorable Verna Sinimbo, on behalf of Hon. Ms. Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialization and Trade (MIT), expressed that “We believe and anticipate significant opportunities will emanate from the implementation of the AfCFTA and this will lead to positive transformation of many African countries’ economies in the continent and as such, Namibia should prepare in order to take full advantages that the Continental Free Trade Area will bring. These include, larger market access, improved competitiveness, improved production capacities, improved living standard and possibility of employment creation.”
While the potential benefits to be gained from the AfCFTA are widely acknowledged such benefits will not come automatically to the Member States. It requires each Member States to develop a National Programme of Action to harness the benefits of the AfCFTA. The Namibia AfCFTA National Strategy and Action Plan will guide and drive implementation and will also enable the country to take full advantage of market access opportunities in the continent.
Calling upon participants to domesticate the AfCFTA, Ms. Charity Mwiya, CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry noted that “it has been agreed that at the national level, it will be critical to have an AfCFTA strategy and dedicated institutional arrangements in place to carry out implementation and fully utilize the opportunities of AfCFTA. The strategy will assist State Parties with domesticating implementation. The Strategy will be complementary to the broader trade policy of each respective State Party – that identifies for that particular country the key trade opportunities, current constraints, and steps required to take full advantage of the continental African market.”
Representing the UN at the Opening session, Ms. Isatou Gaye, the Chief of Subregional Initiatives, speaking on behalf of Ms. Eunice Kamwendo, Director at the UNECA Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa expressed “the UN System in Namibia continues to partner with the Government in the implementation of the AfCFTA through active contribution to the substantive review of the Draft National AfCFTA Strategy. Recent support has included through the Socio-Economic Recovery Plan (SERP), in response to COVID-19; convening of consultations towards the AfCFTA Protocol on Women in Trade; and Capacity Building for officials of the National Planning Commission (NPC) on Strengthening AfCFTA Implementation for the SDGs and Trade Policy Development in Namibia. The United Nations remains committed to providing technical support to African Union member States in developing and rolling out the national AfCFTA implementation strategies and in addressing development challenges.”
The workshop reviewed the draft national AfCFTA strategy and implementation plan in terms of the content, the objectives, proposed actions and the implementation framework to address any gaps, correct any misrepresentations and align any inconsistencies to improve the national strategy and implementation framework. It also reviewed the proposed Terms of Reference for the National AfCFTA Committee to ensure that they provide a solid foundation for the required leadership for the AfCFTA Agreement in Namibia.
It ended with a roadmap towards finalization of the Strategy including incorporation of comments from stakeholders, approval, and the National Official Launch aimed at implementation.
For additional information, contact:
Ms. Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati. Deputy Director, Trade & Commerce, Ministry of Industrialization and Trade (MIT). (Ndiitah.Robiati@Mit.gov.na)
Mr. Oliver Maponga, Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA) Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (mapongao@un.org)
Ms. Eunice Ajambo, Economist & Development Coordination Officer—UN Namibia (ajambo@un.org)
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05 December 2021
SDG Book Club Interview Series: Abdullahi Ismaila
Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad is a poet, short story writer, essayist, publicist, a University lecturer, with many publications to his credit. His most recently published children's storybook, "The Garbage School", was selected as part of the English SDG 4: Quality Education Reading List.
How long have you been writing for children’s books?
My first attempt at writing for children was in 1995/96 when I wrote a play script, “Troubleshooters of Class Six”, which I eventually turned into the story, “The Garbage School” – published in 2021. But my first published children storybook is The Wicked Brother published in 2008.
What inspired you to take up the SDG challenge?
I saw the SDG challenge as an opportunity to get the book across to a wider and an international readership. The important message it bears is the urgent need to rescue the future of our future leaders by revamping the education system.
The main focus of the SDG Book Club is to inform and educate children; Briefly describe how you were able to create a fusion of entertainment, education, and information to advance the understanding of principles of quality education.
Generally, storytelling is entertaining. And so, it's only logical that important messages such as the need to improve quality education can better be appreciated through storytelling. The storyline of The Garbage School is pictured with both realism and elements of imagination, the protocols of narrative.
How do you carry out research for your book?
My research is mostly through conscious observation and trained imagination.
So far, what has being a writer been like? Describe your experiences.
Well, being a writer in Africa is tough in the sense that writing is done in such strenuous conditions, that without a significant breakthrough, the benefit of writing is a mirage!
What was your dream job/ambition when you were younger?
I wanted to be a lawyer or communicator of some sort.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Reading or contemplating are my main past-times
Tell us something about the main character
The main character, Yakubu, a totally fictional character, is meant to serve as a role model for children.
Is there an underlying true story, or was the book basically a product of your imagination?
The truth of the story is in its realism. The school in the story, Dabo Primary School, is an existing school in Gulu, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The school represents the state of degradation of most rural schools in the state and in Nigeria as a whole. The subject matter itself, using school children to farm instead of helping them learn, is a real occurrence in rural schools, especially in Northern Nigeria.
What advice would you give to young readers across the continent?
My advice to young readers is to keep reading, make reading a daily habit because readers are leaders. Broaden your mind to new possibilities and expose your creativity to stimuli.
Describe the process of visualising and painting the main character of the story?
My mind creates panoramic images of illustration briefs from my publisher. Then I go into seclusion to work, discussing at regular intervals with my publisher in order to produce final images that satisfy both of us.
What advice would you give to aspiring visual artists across the continent?
Aspiring visual artists must commune with their muse and with nature to create concepts for illustrations. They must aim for perfection, appreciate the work of other artists, and they should seek out mentors who will direct, encourage and guide them.
Ismaila was Chairman of the Creative Writers Club, A.B.U, Zaria (1993 – 1994), Niger State Branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA, 1994 – 2000); and also National Assistant Secretary-General of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA, 2002 – 2004).
He is the author of The Demons and other Poems (1990); Islam in Lapai Emirate (1999), Scourge of Earthworms (Poetry, 1996), Ellipsis (Poetry, 2001), The Man, The Mandate, and His Monuments, a book on Gov. Abdulkadir Kurt's administration (2003), Youth Empowerment and Functionalism: A Framework for Synthesis (2004), Contemporary Issues in Social Studies (2004), A Harvest of Hatred (Short Story, 2006), and Wicked Brother (children’s book, 2009), Intellectual Activism And Creative Partnership: A Close-up On M. B. Aliyu's Approach To Governance ( 2013). Our Country Holds A Whip Against Us (Poetry, 2017). Songs of Silence (Poetry, 2021), No Alkibla Here (Short Story, 2021), Nana The Storyteller (children’s book, 2021), and The Garbage School (children’s book, 2021).
He co-authored the books: Abubakar Gimba: Perspectives On His Writings and Philosophy (Essays, 2008); Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu and Traditional Institutions In Niger State (2013) and Ambassador James Kolo: A Life Of Duty and Service ( A Biography, 2013). He also co-edited Words On Marble (from Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar) (2002), Toward Sustaining Creative Writing In Northern Nigeria (Essays, 2009), and Pyramids (Poetry, 2009), and Shadows (Anthology of Short Stories, 2009 ). He edited Echoes of Young Minds (1996), Dance Steps of Dawn (Poetry, 1997), The Unique Madmen and Other Stories (2001), and The Spider and Other Stories (1999).
This story was written by Zion Rufus for Borders Literature for All Nations, one of the organizing members of the SDG Book Club African Chapter.
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Story
25 November 2021
‘Conservation Agriculture key in achieving sustainable food systems in Namibia’
Johannes Nathan Vries – a lead farmer from Karas region is a new comer to conservation agriculture. He anticipates better yields, and increased income for his household.
“Since adopting conservation agriculture (CA) this year, I have saved a lot of money for pesticides as the crop rotation practise keeps away pests. I noticed a huge reduction in the amount of water I use, and CA minimizes soil disturbance,” says Johannes, who described the traditional way of farming as obsolete and unproductive.
Johannes’s story is among many shared during the concluded Conservation Agriculture Forum held in Namibia. The 7th National Conservation Agriculture Forum (NCAF) brought over 70 farmers and stakeholders from various institutions involved in food systems to assess progress made in the regions where CA system is being implemented.
If well adopted, participants noted, conservation agriculture has a huge potential in promoting Namibia’s sustainable food systems and livelihoods through improved productivity.
NCAF brings together farmers, agricultural extension officers, farmer unions, and a variety of stakeholders from all 14 regions in Southern Africa.
“Conservation agriculture is among the smart agriculture practices contributing towards sustainable food systems. Sustainable food system is a system which brings together all actors involved in food systems value chains to ensure food and nutrition security,” said Mildred Kambinda, Acting Deputy Executive Director at the Department of Agriculture Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, at the opening of the forum.
The meeting also presented an opportunity for agricultural extension staff to share lessons learned and best practices in conservation agriculture in their respective regions.
Harmonization and synergy among CA stakeholders
Through the project “Strengthening Coordination, Scaling Up and Governance of Conservation Agriculture in Southern Africa (SUCASA)”, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting the National Conservation Agriculture Forum (NCAF) by reinforcing partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders in the region to promote the adoption of CA and ultimately help farmers become more resilient.
“It is critical to foster synergies in order to guide and accelerate CA adoption across diverse agro-ecological conditions and farming systems. The NCAF also serves as an information-sharing platform across stakeholders. FAO will continue to support efforts that encourage more farmers to adopt CA systems,” Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Representative noted.
In the short-term, the government of Namibia targets to have about 13 000 farmers by year 2022 implementing at least one of the CA principles, that include; minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic soil cover.
Related links:
Namibia's ambitious target
Sowing the seeds of resilience
Building climate resilience in Southern Africa
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Story
24 November 2021
Partnering to strengthen community engagement in the HIV and COVID-19 responses in Namibia
In the response to the colliding COVID-19 and HIV pandemics, communities continue to demonstrate resilience, agility and innovation. To empower, train and protect communities, UNAIDS, in collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is supporting civil society organizations to implement the Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT) initiative in Namibia. In addition, community sensitization activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and the associated stigma and discrimination, and to minimize its effects on people living with HIV, are being implemented.
In May 2021, Namibia experienced an exponential increase in community transmission of COVID-19 cases owing to the emergence of the delta variant, which derailed the country’s containment efforts and severely stretched its health system. The nation rose to the challenge with strong political leadership and commitment. Evidence-informed and high-impact interventions led to a marked decline in cases, positivity rates and deaths.
Through the PACT initiative, four civil society organizations with experience in working with vulnerable communities and networks of people living with HIV in informal settlements were supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and UNAIDS to implement the PACT project. The project focuses on COVID-19 prevention and contact tracing, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the HIV response and facilitating access to quality health care in all 14 regions of the country and will ultimately deploy 270 community health workers.
UNAIDS is partnering with three of the four civil society organizations, working in the three regions with the highest burden of HIV and COVID-19, Oshana, Erongo and Khomas, which account for 36% of people living with HIV, 52% of COVID-19 cases and 42% of COVID-19-related deaths nationally. These civil society organizations have done remarkable work to address the needs of key populations, adolescent girls and young women, and people living with HIV using existing HIV infrastructure and systems.
“Ending the two pandemic requires greater data driven involvement of communities, partnerships, integration of COVID-19 and HIV services and reaching underserved and vulnerable communities. This is the approach that the PACT initiative has taken in Namibia to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” said Dr Alti Zwandor, Country Director for UNAIDS Namibia.
To adapt, harmonize and sustain the training of community health workers, UNAIDS has been working with the National Health Training Centre, which has adapted the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention training curriculum on COVID-19 to include information on vaccines, HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Forty senior trainers from the training centre were trained to deliver multiple trainings across the country. A further 250 community health workers and 25 supervisors were subsequently trained and deployed to implement community outreach activities. In addition to the house visits and community sensitization activities, one of the nongovernmental organizations, the Tonata people living with HIV network, has incorporated bulk text messages with COVID-19 information in local languages to support groups for people living with HIV, thus spreading awareness of the PACT initiative to a much larger audience.
“The community health-care workers in the field experienced situations where community members were aggressive when given information on COVID-19. In some hotspots, the population also complained of hunger and indicated that they would only engage with community health-care workers once provided with some food hampers for them to concentrate,” said Agatha Kuthedze, Director of the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA). She added that the organization had referred people in need of social welfare to the authorities for further help.
The initiative will continue to build on the successes and integrate critical HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming while continuously exploring innovations for a sustained and comprehensive HIV response. The partner nongovernmental organization involved are Tonata, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, NAPPA and Project Hope.
Resources:
https://africacdc.org/download/partnership-to-accelerate-covid-19-testing-pact-in-africa/
https://www.projecthope.org/country/namibia/
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Press Release
17 June 2021
Press Release: 2021 Day of the African Child (16th June)
On June 16th 2021, SDG Book Club Africa celebrated the Day of the African Child with three exemplary Ambassador Schools: Beehive School, Ikeja, Lagos, Chrisland Schools (Lagos, Abuja) and Gateway School, Enugu. All three schools are located in Nigeria, West Africa.
In response to the survey administered by teachers about the Day of the African Child (June 16th 2021) and Africa Day (May 25th 2021), children of the three schools expressed joy and pride in their identity as Nigerians and Africans. They also expressed pride in attending great Nigerian schools.
Click here to join the children of Beehive School, Chrisland Schools and Gateway School as they talk about why we must continue to celebrate the African Child.
https://namibia.un.org/en/131739-day-african-child-un-sdg-book-club-africa-
ambassador-school-chrisland-school https://namibia.un.org/en/131737-june-16th-2021-day-african-child https://namibia.un.org/en/131789-day-african-child-un-sdg-book-club-africa-ambassador-school-gateway-school
SDG Book Club Africa is one of the latest chapters of the UN SDG Book Club. It spans the entire continent of Africa and is, in size, second only to the global Club. SDG Book Club Africa launched the Ambassador Schools Program (17 th May 2021) to motivate children to read more and to provide them with quality books of a wide variety of genres, whose themes address principles of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our Ambassador Schools encourage healthy and creative engagement with the SDGs, both
indoors and outdoors. At our Ambassador Schools, we seek to ensure that no-one, particularly children, the builders of our future, is left out of the global effort to make the world a better place. SDG Book Club Africa Organizers
African Publishers Network (APNET).
Pan-African Writer Association (PAWA).
Pan-African Booksellers Association (PABA).
Association for the Development of Education (ADEA).
African Library Information Institutions & Association (AFLIA).
BORDERS Literature for all Nations (BORDERS).
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek, Namibia.
In response to the survey administered by teachers about the Day of the African Child (June 16th 2021) and Africa Day (May 25th 2021), children of the three schools expressed joy and pride in their identity as Nigerians and Africans. They also expressed pride in attending great Nigerian schools.
Click here to join the children of Beehive School, Chrisland Schools and Gateway School as they talk about why we must continue to celebrate the African Child.
https://namibia.un.org/en/131739-day-african-child-un-sdg-book-club-africa-
ambassador-school-chrisland-school https://namibia.un.org/en/131737-june-16th-2021-day-african-child https://namibia.un.org/en/131789-day-african-child-un-sdg-book-club-africa-ambassador-school-gateway-school
SDG Book Club Africa is one of the latest chapters of the UN SDG Book Club. It spans the entire continent of Africa and is, in size, second only to the global Club. SDG Book Club Africa launched the Ambassador Schools Program (17 th May 2021) to motivate children to read more and to provide them with quality books of a wide variety of genres, whose themes address principles of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our Ambassador Schools encourage healthy and creative engagement with the SDGs, both
indoors and outdoors. At our Ambassador Schools, we seek to ensure that no-one, particularly children, the builders of our future, is left out of the global effort to make the world a better place. SDG Book Club Africa Organizers
African Publishers Network (APNET).
Pan-African Writer Association (PAWA).
Pan-African Booksellers Association (PABA).
Association for the Development of Education (ADEA).
African Library Information Institutions & Association (AFLIA).
BORDERS Literature for all Nations (BORDERS).
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek, Namibia.
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Press Release
12 May 2021
‘Playing’ into Sustainable Development
Our planet is at a critical point. From global health crises to economic disparities to climate change, there has never been a more crucial time for our young leaders to step up and help come up with solutions to these existential challenges. The United Nations (UN) is committed to tackling these issues by achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and UN Namibia has come up with a unique and clever way to get Namibian youth to create changes within our communities and throughout the world.
UN Namibia launched their latest youth engagement tool, Swift 30: SDG Edition. This locally made board game brings the SDGs into the hands of the youth, to educate them on Namibia and how they can positively impact our future. During the launch, UN Resident Coordinator Sen Pang, recalled playing games growing up and emphasised the knowledge building exercise as having the potential to teach young and old alike. “Even I learnt something new today”, he noted. The UNRC along with the Deputy Minister of Education and other stakeholders played the game to get a feel for the content and interaction it encourages.
Swift 30: SDG Edition was produced in collaboration with Ms. Ndeshi Fikameni and her company, Afroprintline. This iteration follows the success of her first game, Swift 30, a game that drew its inspiration from the popular board game, 30 Seconds, but exclusively focused on Namibian topics – a game for Namibians by Namibians. Similarly, Swift 30: SDG Edition, which includes a colourful hand-sewn game board, appeals to Namibian youth with the aim to empower them to take their future into their own hands.
Speaking at the officially launch Swift 30: SDG Edition, Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Faustina Caley recognizes that initiatives such as this are of paramount importance to the development of Namibian youth. She commended this effort saying, “the Ministry welcomes the strategic partnership support in establishing non-school based opportunities for the Namibian child to relate to the SDGs and for catering to the diverse interest and talents of learners across regions.”
Twenty youth from various schools and organizations around Windhoek attended the event. Together they learnt how to play the game, which came with a lot of friendly competition amongst each other. Orban Primary School learner Jasmine Schmidt, 12, spoke with excitement for Swift 30: SDG Edition explaining that she “learned a lot and it was super fun! I hope others enjoy it as much as I did.” Claudios Rervelso, 19, from the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) described his experience as, “awesome and educational, everyone engaged in the game. I personally want my peers to know about Swift 30: SDG Edition.”
Following its official launch, the team behind Swift 30: SDG Edition will continue to build awareness by engaging with schools, youth groups and other organizations through game activations and programming. The SDGs are only attainable through a collaborative effort from all, and this game is a major way for the UN to reach a whole new audience.
For more information, please contact Ms. Anthea Basson at bassona@un.org at telephone: +264 61 204 6408 / +264 (0) 81 551 695 or Ms. Welda Mouton at mouton@un.org or telephone: +264 61 204 6346 or / +264 (0)815511378
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Press Release
29 April 2021
Namibia’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review
Namibia’s human rights record will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the third time on Monday, 3 May 2021 in a meeting that will be webcast live.
The documents on which the reviews are based are:
1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations and civil society groups.
The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Namibia on 3 May can be found here.
Location: Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations, Geneva [NB: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will be held using a combination of in-person and remote participation, and media representatives are encouraged to follow the proceedings on webcast].
Time and date: 09.00 – 12.30, Monday, 3 May (Geneva time, GMT +1 hour)
The UPR is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member States have been reviewed twice within the first and second UPR cycles. During the third UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow-up on, as well as to highlight recent human rights developments in the country.
The delegation of Namibia will be led by Yvonne Dausab, Minister of Justice.
The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Namibia are: Fiji, Sudan and Venezuela.
The webcast of the session will be at http://webtv.un.org
The list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Namibia will be posted on the UPR Extranet
The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Namibia at 15.00 on 7 May. The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during their review.
* The UPR 38th session was originally scheduled to be held in January 2021, although was postponed due to COVID-19 measures.
For more information and media requests, please contact Rolando Gómez, HRC Media Officer, at +41 (0) 22 917 9711, rgomez@ohchr.org , or Matthew Brown, HRC Public Information Officer, at mbrown@ohchr.org
To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review, visit: www.ohchr.org/hrc/upr
UN Human Rights Council, follow us on social media: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram
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Press Release
26 February 2021
Human Development Report 2020 and Namibia National Human Development Report 2019 Launch
This Human Development Report (HDR) 2020, lays out a stark choice for world leaders - take bold steps to reduce the immense pressure that is being exerted on the environment and the natural world, or humanity’s progress will stall. The publication of the 2020 HDR 2020 GHDR marks 30 years of Human Development Reports by UNDP. It refreshes the construct of human development (HD) for a new geologic era and focuses on how HD can be expanded in balance with the planet. The 2020 report includes a new experimental index on human progress that takes into account countries’ carbon emissions and material footprint.
“Humans wield more power over the planet than ever before. In the wake of COVID-19, record-breaking temperatures, and spiralling inequality, it is time to use that power to redefine what we mean by progress, where our carbon and consumption footprints are no longer hidden,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.
Impressive progress, elusive SDGs
The report argues that as people and planet enter an entirely new geological epoch, the Anthropocene or the Age of Humans, it is time for all countries to redesign their paths to progress by fully accounting for the dangerous pressures humans put on the planet, and dismantle the gross imbalances of power and opportunity that prevent change.
The Human Development Report 2020 shows that, inequalities within and between countries, with deep roots in colonialism and racism, mean that people who have more capture the benefits of nature and export the costs. This chokes opportunities for people who have less and minimizes their ability to do anything about it.
According to the report’s accompanying Human Development Index (HDI), Africa has experienced one of the most significant improvements in human development. Namibia’s HDI value for 2019 is 0.646, which puts the country in the medium human development category, positioning it at 130 out of 189 countries and territories. From Sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia is compared with Botswana and South Africa, which have HDIs ranked 100 and 114 in 2019, respectively.
Between 1990 and 2019, Namibia’s HDI value increased from 0.581 to 0.646, an increase of 11.2 percent. Specifically, Namibia’s life expectancy at birth increased by 2.1 years, this means years of schooling increased by 1.4 years and expected years of schooling increased by 1.5 years. Namibia’s GNI per capita increased by about 57.0 percent between 1990 and 2019.
Although Namibia’s Inequality-adjusted HDI for 2019 is 0.646, when the value is discounted for inequality, the HDI falls to 0.418, a loss of 35.3% due to inequality in the distribution of the HDI dimension indices. And the Human inequality coefficient for Namibia is equal to 33.6 %. In comparison, South Africa shows a loss due to inequality of 34.0 %. The average loss due to inequality for medium HDI countries is 26.3 % and for Sub-Saharan Africa it is 30.5%.
The Namibia National Human Development Report (NNHDR) 2019 titled, “Addressing Inequality and Disparities: Towards a New Dignified Life for All Namibians”, introduces a multidimensional lens to analysing the drivers of inequality in Namibia. The report confirms that Inequalities exist in Namibia in terms of income, wealth distribution and the available opportunities, between women and men, urban and rural areas, and different groups within the population. When individuals do not have the same opportunities as others, they are hindered from achieving individual goals and reaching their full potential. The historical biases that have skewed the provision of opportunities have negatively affected various segments of society.
It notes that there is an unequal distribution of income within the Namibian population, despite the country’s classification as an Upper – Middle-Income economy.
The NNHDR found that, 65.5% of labour force in Namibia are in employment, while only 14% of the Namibian population earn a monthly wage income in excess of N$1353 – the minimum wage of private households as per Labour Commissioner And Domestic Workers Union Agreement 2017.
Further disparities in access to land or housing pose a major challenge; while women remain at a disadvantage in income, health, and protection. Moreover, education disparities in Namibia are defined by the urban/rural divide, regional variations, and income/wealth differences.
Women and men in urban areas (96% and 95%, respectively) are more likely to be literate than those in rural areas (90% and 85%, respectively).17.9% of households in Namibia have to travel a distance longer than 10 kilometres to the nearest health facility. Of those living in rural areas, 36.5% lived more than 10 kilometres from the nearest health facility.
Towards a new dignified life for all: An agenda to reduce inequalities in Namibia
This report draws conclusions from the trends and status of inequality in its multiple dimensions in Namibia, and proposes the following recommendations:
•Structural economic transformation and an efficient and effective financing mechanism;
•Integrated gender-responsive policies and programmes, as well as an effective and efficient social protection system for all;
•Investment in better research and development, measurement, and data collection and analysis, to deepen the understanding of inequality in Namibia.
In Namibia, the launch of both reports will take place on Wednesday, 24 February 2021 at the United Nations House in Windhoek.
To learn more about the Human Development report 2020 and UNDP’s analysis on the experimental Planetary Pressure-Adjusted HDI, visit http://hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report
To learn more about the Namibia National Human Development report 2019 findings on Inequality and Disparities, visit https://bit.ly/3utFVFG
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Press Release
21 November 2020
Despite progress, COVID-19 threatens to cause irreversible harm to children’s education, nutrition and well-being - says UNICEF
Gobabis, Namibia, 20 November 2020 – Data from 87 countries reveals that 1 in 9 known COVID-19 infections are among children and young people under the age of 20, according to a UNICEF analysis report called “Averting a Lost COVID Generation”, released yesterday ahead of today’s World Children’s Day.
The report comprehensively dispels the myth that children are spared the worst of COVID-19. Children – especially the poorest and most marginalized – are amongst the hardest hit from disrupted services and increases in poverty.
Speaking at an event on behalf of the President of Namibia H.E. Hage Geingob, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Hon. Doreen Sioka said “ We have achieved many milestones which we are proud of and it is this progress that encourages us to recognise and address the emerging challenges brought forth by COVID-19 to ensure that no child is left behind.”
According to recent government reports, as of 10th November 2020, 15% of the COVID-19 confirmed cases in Namibia are in the 0-19 age groups – this means 1 in 7 of the total confirmed cases are children.
The reports further states that despite the overall decrease in the total confirmed cases since the lifting of the Covid-19 State of emergency, the casing continue to flare up in close settings such as schools and hostels. “This is just the ‘tip of the pandemic iceberg’. Not only are children suffering the direct consequences of this disease, the longer this crisis continues, the worse it gets for children. Missed education, worsening malnutrition, and rapidly rising poverty all threaten a lost generation” said Rachel Odede, UNICEF Representative to Namibia.
Averting a Lost COVID Generation is the first UNICEF report to comprehensively outline the dire and growing consequences for children as the pandemic drags on. It shows that while symptoms among infected children remain mild, infections are rising and the longer-term impact on the education, nutrition and well-being of an entire generation of children and young people can be life-altering.
Using new data from UNICEF surveys across 140 countries, the report notes that:
• Around one-third of the countries analyzed witnessed a drop of at least 10 per cent in coverage for health services such as routine vaccinations, outpatient care for childhood infectious diseases, and maternal health services. Fear of infection is a prominent reason.
• There is a 40 per cent decline in the coverage of nutrition services for women and children across 135 countries. As of October 2020, 265 million children were still missing out on school meals globally. More than 250 million children under 5 could miss the life-protecting benefits of vitamin A supplementation programmes.
• 65 countries reported a decrease in home visits by social workers in September 2020, compared to the same time last year.
More alarming data from the report include:
• As of November 2020, 572 million students are affected across 30 country-wide school closures – 33 per cent of the enrolled students worldwide.
• An estimated 2 million additional child deaths and 200,000 additional stillbirths could occur over a 12-month period with severe interruptions to services and rising malnutrition.
• An additional 6 to 7 million children under the age of 5 will suffer from wasting or acute malnutrition in 2020, a 14 per cent rise that will translate into more than 10,000 additional child deaths per month – mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Globally, the number of children living in multidimensional poverty – without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation or water – is estimated to have soared by 15 per cent, or an additional 150 million children by mid-2020.
To respond to this crisis, UNICEF is committed to continue working with the Government of Namibia and development partners and the Private Sector – to seek solution to:
1. Ensure all children continue to learn, including by closing the digital divide.
2. Guarantee access to nutrition and health services and make vaccines affordable and available to every child. 3. Support and protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence and neglect in childhood.
4. Increase access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change.
5. Mitigate the rise in child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all.
Namibia celebrated the day in Gobabis, Omaheke Region under the theme, “Kids Take Over” as part of the global “Reimagine” campaign which is focused on engaging children and young people. About 30 girls and boys out of school and children on the street aged 12-18, directed the programme and showcased their vision of the world they want to build amidst COVID-19 and beyond through song, dance and creative arts and crafts. During the week the children also participated in discussions and interviewed key political and government decision makers in Omaheke. “As we are gathered here today, we are reminded of the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable members of our society – children. We in Omaheke re-commit ourselves to work together with children – to reimagine their world where every child is safe, healthy, prosperous, has access to all services that will allow him/her to grow and develop to his/her full potential” said Hon. Pijoo Nganate, Governor Omaheke Region;
The report comprehensively dispels the myth that children are spared the worst of COVID-19. Children – especially the poorest and most marginalized – are amongst the hardest hit from disrupted services and increases in poverty.
Speaking at an event on behalf of the President of Namibia H.E. Hage Geingob, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Hon. Doreen Sioka said “ We have achieved many milestones which we are proud of and it is this progress that encourages us to recognise and address the emerging challenges brought forth by COVID-19 to ensure that no child is left behind.”
According to recent government reports, as of 10th November 2020, 15% of the COVID-19 confirmed cases in Namibia are in the 0-19 age groups – this means 1 in 7 of the total confirmed cases are children.
The reports further states that despite the overall decrease in the total confirmed cases since the lifting of the Covid-19 State of emergency, the casing continue to flare up in close settings such as schools and hostels. “This is just the ‘tip of the pandemic iceberg’. Not only are children suffering the direct consequences of this disease, the longer this crisis continues, the worse it gets for children. Missed education, worsening malnutrition, and rapidly rising poverty all threaten a lost generation” said Rachel Odede, UNICEF Representative to Namibia.
Averting a Lost COVID Generation is the first UNICEF report to comprehensively outline the dire and growing consequences for children as the pandemic drags on. It shows that while symptoms among infected children remain mild, infections are rising and the longer-term impact on the education, nutrition and well-being of an entire generation of children and young people can be life-altering.
Using new data from UNICEF surveys across 140 countries, the report notes that:
• Around one-third of the countries analyzed witnessed a drop of at least 10 per cent in coverage for health services such as routine vaccinations, outpatient care for childhood infectious diseases, and maternal health services. Fear of infection is a prominent reason.
• There is a 40 per cent decline in the coverage of nutrition services for women and children across 135 countries. As of October 2020, 265 million children were still missing out on school meals globally. More than 250 million children under 5 could miss the life-protecting benefits of vitamin A supplementation programmes.
• 65 countries reported a decrease in home visits by social workers in September 2020, compared to the same time last year.
More alarming data from the report include:
• As of November 2020, 572 million students are affected across 30 country-wide school closures – 33 per cent of the enrolled students worldwide.
• An estimated 2 million additional child deaths and 200,000 additional stillbirths could occur over a 12-month period with severe interruptions to services and rising malnutrition.
• An additional 6 to 7 million children under the age of 5 will suffer from wasting or acute malnutrition in 2020, a 14 per cent rise that will translate into more than 10,000 additional child deaths per month – mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Globally, the number of children living in multidimensional poverty – without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation or water – is estimated to have soared by 15 per cent, or an additional 150 million children by mid-2020.
To respond to this crisis, UNICEF is committed to continue working with the Government of Namibia and development partners and the Private Sector – to seek solution to:
1. Ensure all children continue to learn, including by closing the digital divide.
2. Guarantee access to nutrition and health services and make vaccines affordable and available to every child. 3. Support and protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence and neglect in childhood.
4. Increase access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change.
5. Mitigate the rise in child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all.
Namibia celebrated the day in Gobabis, Omaheke Region under the theme, “Kids Take Over” as part of the global “Reimagine” campaign which is focused on engaging children and young people. About 30 girls and boys out of school and children on the street aged 12-18, directed the programme and showcased their vision of the world they want to build amidst COVID-19 and beyond through song, dance and creative arts and crafts. During the week the children also participated in discussions and interviewed key political and government decision makers in Omaheke. “As we are gathered here today, we are reminded of the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable members of our society – children. We in Omaheke re-commit ourselves to work together with children – to reimagine their world where every child is safe, healthy, prosperous, has access to all services that will allow him/her to grow and develop to his/her full potential” said Hon. Pijoo Nganate, Governor Omaheke Region;
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