2nd National Conference on Orphans and Other ... - FHI 360

More documents

Recommendations

Info

she began taking care of Namibian children long before independence. Those participants who lived in exile will remember her work in Angola, where we knew her as “Meme Libertina who cares for the children”. I also congratulate with appreciation all those who have been dealing with the child welfare function, and especially the MoHSS staff headed by Petronella Masabane, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Services, for their very hard work and commitment to the plight of Namibian children. The MWACW will not start anything new, but will build on the work already done, and we will definitely call on you, the DDSWS, to tap your rich knowledge. The MoHSS will be one of our main partners in carrying out our mandate. It will continue to be a member of the OVCNSC and hopefully to serve on its sub-committees. Director of Ceremonies, there have been rumours that the MWACW does not have the capacity to carry out the child welfare function. Those holding such views do not understand how the Government of Namibia works. The decisions of our Cabinet are supported by all Cabinet members, and the description and objective of the MWACW as adopted by the Cabinet are as follows: To oversee all Government policies and operations in regard to women’s affairs and child welfare to ensure that the objectives are achieved and policies are properly implemented. ... To review policy and suggest and/or approve and make public the Government’s policies and guidelines in the above-mentioned areas. This means that the full Cabinet is behind this ministry in fulfilling its functions. As the ministry responsible for child welfare we welcome all initiatives aimed at enhancing the care and protection of children. However, we want coordination; we must not work in isolation but in partnership, complementing each other. Dealing with children is a complex matter and mistakes may have far-reaching repercussions. The MWACW has set up a secretariat to continue running the <strong>National</strong> Programme for Children previously resorting under the <strong>National</strong> Planning Commission, this being one of the functions of government that the MWACW has inherited. We consider this to be the ‘mother’ of all programmes we have to run, because whether children are orphaned or vulnerable or not, they are Namibian children. The same secretariat will serve the national programme for OVC, the OVCNSC and its sub-committees, i.e. the Sub- Committee on OVC, Sub-Committee on ECD and Sub-Committee on Child Development. It goes without saying that it is our moral responsibility as individuals, communities and public and private institutions to ensure that every child in this country is cared for unconditionally; we have a duty to provide support in whatever way we can. We must remember that they have no country but Namibia, and only Namibians should feel guilty for leaving them vulnerable to dangerous circumstances. It would be immoral to watch these children suffering while others swim in wealth. We have to strive to give life to them because they are human beings. These children need to go to school, and they have all the same needs in life as any other child. They need to be cared for, and they must not be pushed into institutions where care may be faceless, but rather placed in family homes where they can be exposed to and learn culture and home care and develop into healthy, productive, responsible adult members of society. A neglected child cannot be expected to take on social, political or cultural responsibility. Education is key, and our Government recognises this. I hope your discussions at this conference raise pertinent issues and lead us to solutions to problems facing the nation in respect of OVC. We are expecting this conference to come up with realistic recommendations. It has become fashionable at such gatherings to use a lot of words used in this or that document when one knows deep in one’s heart that something is not practical in one’s own situation. We cannot afford to play around with words when the fate of our children is at stake. I hope we are ready to face the challenges and ensure a better future for all our children. With these few words I wish you all the best in your deliberations. I thank you. 38 <strong>2nd</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children – Windhoek, Namibia, 25-27 June 2002: Full Report
Ms Kovambo Nujoma Keynote address, official opening statement and launch of study on orphans by the First Lady, Ms Kovambo Nujoma, OVC Patron Read by Hon. Dr Libertina Amathila, Minister of Health and Social Services Director of Ceremonies, Hon. Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah, Honourable Members of Cabinet and Parliament, Members of UN Agencies and the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished Invited Guests, Development Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Children – I am honoured to have been asked to deliver the opening statement to this august gathering, the <strong>2nd</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on OVC. I am indeed pleased to perform three main tasks: open the conference, launch the study on orphans and host the conference reception. Unfortunately my health does not permit me to be with you today, but I assure you that my heart and soul are with you. I have asked Dr Amathila to deliver the statement, launch the study and host the reception on my behalf. Last year you came together for the first time to discuss what is now an even bigger problem: OVC. From the study on orphans included in the conference handout pack we learn that at the end of 2001 we had an orphan population of 82 671, this number representing all children who have lost one or both of their parents. Of that number, 40% are estimated to have lost one or both parents due to AIDS. These figures are just too overwhelming, and these are not just statistics; these are our children, the children of Namibia, our future. I am often referred to as the Mother of the Nation, but I am sure you will agree that no mother would be able to cope with all these children in need, and that is why you are here, Dr Libertina Amathila and why I am relying on you to help me in this endeavour. We have made substantial progress during the past year in addressing the issue of OVC under the leadership of the <strong>National</strong> Steering Committee and in partnership with our development partners and other stakeholders. However, we can never be complacent, and this year’s conference will identify challenges we have to face, and determine how we should update our plans in developing services to ensure a good future for our OVC. I have looked in detail at the issues you will be debating and I would like to make a few comments. It is clear to me that we will find ourselves wanting if we do not have a policy on OVC to guide us in our work. The policy will highlight all the pertinent issues and serve as our tool in assisting you in the development of our plans and services. The policy will guide us towards achieving our goals. We will continue to make progress and help our children to avoid becoming street children. We must ensure that our children receive an education, health care, and material and emotional support. <strong>2nd</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children – Windhoek, Namibia, 25-27 June 2002: Full Report 39
Page 1 and 2: 2nd Nation
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS FOREWORD ACRONYMS AND ABBR
Page 5 and 6: FOREWORD Namibia has come a long wa
Page 7 and 8: INTRODUCTORY SESSION Session chairp
Page 9 and 10: Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) Mult
Page 11 and 12: Promote and facilitate the exchange
Page 13 and 14: As mentioned in the previous presen
Page 15 and 16: I am here to represent the MWACW ta
Page 17 and 18: the mother will take custody, for t
Page 19 and 20: permission for it? In other words,
Page 21 and 22: Questions and comments on Ms Hubbar
Page 23 and 24: a basis and guidelines for operatio
Page 25 and 26: parents when a child is arrested; a
Page 27 and 28: I will now read out our group’s s
Page 29 and 30: Lack of food and parental supervisi
Page 31 and 32: Recommendations: 1. Information on
Page 33 and 34: Social services: Lack of knowledge
Page 35 and 36: Impacts on OVC: 1. Psychosocial nee
Page 37 and 38: OFFICIAL OPENING SESSION Session ch
Page 39 and 40: anecdotal reports from communities
Page 41 and 42: Trauma associated with losing a par
Page 43: Namibia’s resource distribution i
Page 47 and 48: EXPERT PRESENTATIONS PRESENT TIONS
Page 49 and 50: 3. Psychosocial Normal stresses an
Page 51 and 52: RACOC Regional Director PEER SUPPOR
Page 53 and 54: equests for increments in the Schoo
Page 55 and 56: tance of proper co-ordination can n
Page 57 and 58: then not deliver. The other conside
Page 59 and 60: OVC VC LOGO AND DEFINITION Session
Page 61 and 62: WORKING GROUP SESSIONS Session chai
Page 63 and 64: Before calling on the first group r
Page 65 and 66: Learned/enforced roles Domestic vi
Page 67 and 68: Comment: Everything in the strategy
Page 69 and 70: GROUP 2 SUB-GROUP 2: FAMILY-CENTRED
Page 71 and 72: egardless. We know it will take a l
Page 73 and 74: Questions and comments on Group 3 r
Page 75 and 76: SUMMARY OF GROUP 4 DISCUSSION (verb
Page 77 and 78: the why? If it is for the purpose o
Page 79 and 80: COMMENTARY AND ADDITIONAL POINTS IN
Page 81 and 82: therefore reached consensus that a
Page 83 and 84: Session chairperson Ulitala Hivelua
Page 85 and 86: Official reports and policy documen
Page 87 and 88: MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND CHILD
Page 89 and 90: CATHOLIC AIDS ACTION (CAA) Dr Lucy
Page 91 and 92: Dr Marita Grobler, Head of Departme
Page 93 and 94: OUTGOING AND INCOMING OVC VC NATION

2nd National Conference on Orphans and Other ... - FHI 360

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?