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Date: April 23, 2024 Tue
Time: 2:33 am
namibia
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namibia
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19 total results foundAuthor: Namibia. Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Title: A Baseline Assessment of Human Trafficking in Namibia: A Nationally Representative Qualitative Assessment Summary: Trafficking in Persons is a significant human rights and development issue worldwide that affects men, women and children, and Namibia is no exception. To this effect, Namibia ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the additional Protocol to Prevent Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Humans especially women and children in 2003. The Prevention of Organized Crime (POCA) Act no.29 of 2004 which criminalizes Trafficking in Persons was enacted. Further, in the US Department of State 2008 Trafficking of Persons (TIP) Report, Namibia was designated a “Special Case.” A Special Case designation denotes that there is simply not enough reliable information on the country’s trafficking circumstances, but the existence of a significant human trafficking problem is suspected, though the scope and magnitude remains unsubstantiated by sufficient reliable reporting. Specifically, the TIP report states: Limited reporting suggests that Namibia may be a source and destination country for trafficked children; however, the magnitude of this problem is unknown. It is suspected that the largest percentages of trafficking victims are children engaged in prostitution. There is evidence that a small number of Namibian children are trafficked within the country for domestic servitude, as well as forced agricultural labor, cattle herding, and possibly vending. There have been a few reported cases of Zambian and Angolan children trafficked to Namibia for domestic servitude, agricultural labor, and livestock herding. To improve the effectiveness of its fight against human trafficking, the Government of Namibia should consider two initial steps: develop a baseline understanding of the problem, which could include reviewing existing reports and engaging stakeholders; and designate a focal point within the government to coordinate dialogue and action by relevant government entities. As further information is developed, public awareness raising and training of relevant law enforcement and social services officials could facilitate the identification and assistance of victims, and help determine the extent of the problem. In response to the lack of knowledge about the scope and magnitude of trafficking in Namibia, an assessment of Trafficking in Persons in Namibia was initiated by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) with the support of USAID/ Namibia. The team of experts comprising of one international expert, one regional expert and two Namibian experts was assembled to conduct this assessment. The team was assisted in the field by two members of the MGECW and one from MAWF. The purpose of this assessment was to (a) collect available information on the scope of trafficking in persons in targeted areas of Namibia, (b) review counter- trafficking initiatives by government and civil society and, (c) outline gaps and make recommendations concerning future programming and research needs. Prior to undertaking stakeholder and key informant interviews, the team conducted a literature review of pertinent materials on trafficking in persons in Namibia and the region, which it supplemented throughout the course of its field work. The interviews took place between April 8 and 28, 2009. The interviews covered four basic areas: (1) general knowledge of the respondent about human trafficking; (2) prevention initiatives; (3) prosecution, policing and the legal framework; and, (4) protection and victim assistance. Details: Windhoek, Namibia: Ministry of General Equality and Child Welfare, 2009. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 4, 2010 at: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/wid/pubs/Final_Human_Trafficking_Report_Namibia_100216.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Namibia Keywords: Child Prostitution Shelf Number: 120188 |
Author: Burton, Patrick Title: Protecting the flame : overcoming violence as a barrier to education in Namibia Summary: The right of children to education is arguably one of the most significant of all human rights as it allows individuals access to a wealth of opportunities that might otherwise not be within their reach. For many children, however, their right to education is not threatened primarily by a lack of access to schools or by discrimination, but by violence occurring in and around their schools. Violence is one of the major contributing factors to non-enrollment and non-completion of schooling. While a global phenomenon, this is particularly the case in a number of sub-Saharan African countries where primary school enrolment rates are among the lowest in the world. Namibiajs history is marked by colonialism and apartheid. This resulted in an unequal education system characterised by vast discrepancies between the population groups in terms of access to education, quality of education, curricula and facilities. Since Namibiajs independence in 1990, the government has embarked on a comprehensive reform of the education system. Education in Namibia is now a right of all citizens. However, despite a 95% primary school enrollment rate in recent years, many children in Namibia are still not afforded an education or, more importantly, a quality education. Experiences in South Africa have drawn attention to the importance of an informed, locally specific and evidence-based approach to formulating interventions that address violence in and around schools, thereby enhancing access to education. Very little nationally representative data on the experiences of violence against children as a barrier to education and as an infringement on human rights exist in the region. In order to close the gap in the literature, the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention embarked on a three-country study that explores the impact of violence on access to education. The three participating countries k Namibia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo k can be considered post-conflict, although each is at a different stage of development and reconstruction. Both quantitative (household survey) and qualitative (focus group activities with learners and key stakeholder interviews) research methods were used to collect the study data. A total of 381 youths between the ages of 12 and 19 years were surveyed in four predominantly rural regions in the north of Namibia, namely, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto. Of those interviewed, 11 had never attended school before and 59 were not attending school at the time of being interviewed for the study. The primary reasons for not attending school were failing a grade (30.2%), teenage pregnancy (11.6%) and the inability to afford school fees (10.5%). Violence in and near schools was also found to have impacted on learnersj access to education. The study found that children and youths experience various forms of violence, both as victims and as witnesses, across a range of settings, including the school, their home and the broader community in which they live. Experiences of victimisation at school ranged from being verbally teased, insulted or intimidated (22.6%), to having been physically hit, kicked or punched (18.8%), scared or threatened with harm (17.3%), forced to do something they felt was wrong (11.6%) and forced to do things with their body against their will (5.7%). Most of this violence was perpetrated by classmates or other learners at the school. However, learners and classmates were not the only perpetrators of violence against youths within the school environment; corporal punishment was reported by an alarming 72.6% of the sample. Furthermore, respondents expressed an acute awareness of transactional sexual relationships between educators and learners k a scenario exacerbated by the poverty-stricken conditions that characterise communities in northern Namibia. The socio-economic levels of the households represented in the study were very low. On average, only one household member had a permanent job or a stable source of income, while the average household comprised eight members. Violence within the school setting seems to reflect the violence reported in the homes and communities in which the respondents live. A total of 12.4% had witnessed family members intentionally hurting one another, with more than a tenth (10.4%) of these assaults being serious enough to warrant medical treatment for the victimsj injuries. Arguments were common in these households (13.1%) and parents often used physical punishment in response to their childrenjs wrongdoing (67.8%). In addition, violence often resulted if the respondents failed to complete their household chores. The severe levels of poverty experienced in northern Namibia often mean that household responsibilities take precedence over education. Domestic chores are divided according to gender and are based on the traditional stereotypes of male and female roles. Household duties therefore have a far greater negative impact on the schooling of young girls than is the case for boys. The communities in which the respondents live were also a common site of violence, indicating that many children and youth have few places where they are safe and free from violence. Just over half (51.7%) of the respondents had witnessed someone in their community being hit, kicked or punched on one or more occasion, 38.6% had seen someone being pushed, grabbed or shoved, 14.2% had seen someone being threatened with a weapon on one or more occasion and 16.4% had seen someone being assaulted with a weapon in their community. Mainstream literature identifies the link between violence exposure and subsequent emotional and behavioural problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation and antisocial behaviour k all factors that make it nearly impossible for quality learning to take place. The effects of violence can only be exacerbated by the presence of other risk factors embedded in these young peoplejs proximal social environments, namely, poverty, unemployment, large family size, absent parents, etc. Despite the disruption in their normal developmental pathways, children and young people are expected to cope in an environment that lacks the necessary support services to facilitate healing. Parents (40.8%) and other relatives (13.2%) were the most common sources of support following traumatic experiences. The quality of support provided, however, is questionable given that many of these family members are themselves caught up in cycles of violence. Namibia has one of the most progressive legislative frameworks pertaining to education in Africa. The issue is clear: according to the countryjs Constitution, all children should have access to and should remain in school until the age of 16 years. Furthermore, Namibia has developed specific policies to ensure that educationally marginalised children are provided with an education. Namibia is also a signatory to many international and regional instruments that emphasise education as a right of all citizens. This study highlights the lack of policy implementation and enforcement in Namibia, and outlines steps to remedy the situation. Details: Cape Town, South Africa : Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, 2011. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series No. 8: Accessed October 19, 2016 at: http://www.cjcp.org.za/uploads/2/7/8/4/27845461/monograph_8_-_protecting_the_flame_namibia.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Namibia Keywords: Delinquency Prevention Shelf Number: 139925 |
Author: Nedongo, Nathaniel Title: Petty Crime in Urban Settings in Namibia - A Case Study of the City of Windhoek Summary: The purpose of this study was to establish the nature of petty crimes that are committed within the City of Windhoek. The study further aimed at establishing the social characteristics of those who are committing such crimes as well as identifying possible hot spots where these crimes are likely to take place. This was achieved through consulting and analysing police records and criminals' profiles, interviewing the victims of petty crimes and persons arrested by the police and charged with petty crimes. The study also included those suspect that where brought to the police stations after they were found attempting to commit these crimes. The interview was to establish the nature of the crime they have been accused of and the spots where the y are said to have committed or attempted to commit such crimes. The study harnessed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The former consisted of a systematic analysis of relevant primary and secondary sources. The latter offered a statistical analysis of crime culled from primary sources such as police Occurrence Books, and Crime Records. The study was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The study found that theft out of motor vehicles, theft from persons, house breakings and theft, bag and cellular telephone snatchings, and shopliftings are the common crimes in the City of Windhoek. It was established that petty crimes in the City of Windhoek are not static and that certain areas in the city are more frequented by petty crimes than others. The study further identifies the social characteristics of the suspects of petty crimes to be mostly young and unemployed youths. The study thus concludes that the current crime prevention measures in the City are not effective enough and recommends innovations to improve on their effectiveness. Details: Windhoek, Namibia: University of Namibia, 2011. 141p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 29, 2017 at: http://wwwisis.unam.na/theses/nendongo2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Namibia Keywords: Misdemeanors Shelf Number: 146474 |