Maria David
COMMUNITY members in the Oshikoto Region have made a strong appeal to parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the safety and well-being of their children.
This call was made during a community engagement on Wednesday with the Namibian Police Force Inspector General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, in Omuthiya.
Expressing their concerns, community members highlighted the crucial role of parents and guardians in safeguarding their young ones and ensuring their protection at all times.
“We leave our children as parents and guardians to fend for themselves; this leads to many going astray,” one community member said, highlighting a perceived lack of supervision that can leave children vulnerable.
Inspector General Shikongo acknowledged the importance of this plea.
He added that unprotected children are more susceptible to becoming targets for individuals with harmful intentions.
This aligns with the principles enshrined in Namibia’s Child Care and Protection Act (Act No. 3 of 2015), which places a significant responsibility on parents, guardians, and the community to ensure the safety, security, and development of children.
The Act emphasizes the rights of children to protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It outlines the duties of parents and guardians, as well as the role of the State in safeguarding children’s welfare.
The community’s call reflects a growing awareness of these responsibilities and a desire to create a safer environment for children in the Oshikoto Region and Namibia at large.
