Petronella Sibeene
26 September 2008
Windhoek — On the day of the Namibian Child, which falls on Sunday September 28, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has called on all Namibian parents to refrain from dumping children, particularly babies.
Calling the act criminal, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Sirkka Ausiku said young mothers who are mostly the culprits should be sensitised on what to do when faced with situations that would lead them to dumping a baby.
The ministry defines baby dumping as rejecting and throwing a baby away immediately after birth and exposing it to danger and death.
The definition is supported by the constitution, which demands respect for the right to life, right for children to be cared for by their parents and the right to human dignity.
Baby dumping is becoming a common problem in the country although statistics are not easy to come by.
According to Ausiku, two months do not lapse without one hearing about a baby-dumping incident.
The cases are attributed to stigma where due to tradition and religion, pregnancy before marriage is negatively perceived.
Families and communities struggle to accept the pregnant girl and it is such rejection that drives some women to dumping their newly born children, the ministry says.
"If a girl gets pregnant, it is important for the parents to accept the reality and give the necessary support. Sensitization that would remove all the stigma should be done at all levels, at schools, homes, health centres, churches and communities," she said.
Ignorance, peer pressure, lack of communication, coercion, irresponsibility, HIV/AIDS are other factors found to be catalytic in baby dumping instances.
The PS says to avoid baby dumping, young women should be encouraged to abstain from sex and those that cannot do that should make use of available contraceptives.
She added that the ministry is in the process of appointing child care officers in all constituencies. These officers will take care of all children related issues including baby dumping.
Legal literacy programmes for young people across the country will also be implemented, she added.
Already, the ministry is involved in providing information on family planning and issues of reproductive health.
Together with relevant ministries and other non-governmental organisations, the ministry has been offering life skills programmes focusing on educating young people about decision-making and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Schools especially life skills teachers and counsellors will also be encouraged to support and counsel a pregnant girl.
In Namibia, laws provide alternative placement for children. That includes placement of a child in a place of safety, foster placement and adoption.
Cabinet declared September 28, 2000 the Day of the Namibian Child. It was on that day that the country ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1990.
By celebrating this day, the ministry said, the Government was rededicating itself to ensuring the well-being of Namibia's children.
This year, the day will be celebrated under the theme "Children's participation, Children to be heard and seen in decision making and development".
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 New Era. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
