Staff Reporter
BOYS and young men in Namibia are being urged to embrace positive masculinity, pursue education, and actively participate in shaping their futures, as part of a community engagement hosted by Hope Initiatives Southern Africa Namibia (HISA) at the Kilimanjaro Centre. The event, attended by stakeholders from government, education, and civil society, focused on the challenges facing boys in education and the importance of responsible leadership.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of Namibia, emphasized that many boys risk disengaging from school, underperforming academically, and facing social challenges that limit their opportunities. He highlighted national data showing that in 2023, 8,720 boys dropped out of school, with higher repetition rates and lower grade progression compared to girls. “These boys could be our future engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and leaders,” he said. “We must act decisively to guide and support them today.”
Photos: Hope Initiatives Southern Africa- Namibia (HISA)
Ndaitwah stressed that positive masculinity is grounded in responsibility, empathy, respect, service, and accountable leadership—not dominance or aggression. Promoting these values, he said, complements national efforts to support the girl child, ensuring that all children have equitable opportunities to thrive.
The engagement also focused on strategic interventions, with Ndaitwah calling on research institutions, universities, and development partners to study the root causes of boys’ disengagement and to design evidence-based programs. “We will soon launch deliberate and strategic interventions aligned with international best practices to promote the holistic development of the boy child,” he said.
He urged boys to take advantage of opportunities such as subsidised tertiary education and the Youth Development Fund to build sustainable futures. “When we invest in boys, we invest in a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous nation for all,” Ndaitwah concluded.
The engagement brought together government officials, including Khomas Governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma and Windhoek Mayor Sakaria Uunona, community leaders, educators, parents, and members of the media, highlighting the collaborative effort required to support young men in Namibia.
