YOUNG girls have been advised to visit clinics to get contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies, which may lead to baby dumping.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Rosalia Nghidinwa has urged young girls to visit clinics for contraceptives and to avoid baby dumping.
Nghidinwa said she does not understand why young people engage in unprotected sexual activities, knowing very well what the results will be, later resorting to baby dumping, an act she strongly condemns.
“Why allow yourself to get pregnant if you are not ready to have a child?” Nghidinwa questioned.
“Please use condoms and visit family planning clinics,” she advised.
Nghidinwa also urged men to support their partners and to make sure they are on contraceptives until they are ready for children.
She pointed out that women should be well-informed on contraceptive methods that will not cause harm to their bodies.
“Family planning is not only for women, it is for both men and women, and even for young boys,”said the minister.
When questioned whether she supports abortion as a way of reducing baby dumping, Nghidinwa referred back to the Constitution which clearly states that abortion is illegal in Namibia.
She still maintained that if one is not ready for a family, they should take all necessary precautions to avoid falling pregnant.
Nghidinwa pointed out that the current illegal abortions taking place in the country have long term effects, such as infertility because it is mostly done in unhygienic conditions.
Gender activist Ngamane Karuaihe-Upi, also known as Uncle G, said if girls can be shown love without sex, they will keep away from sexual activities.
Uncle G said baby dumping might be reduced if proper support is given and fewer children will engage in sexual activities.
He said Namibia needs to become a loving nation and should start showing love to their children at their homes, churches as well as at schools.
He pointed out that young people need to be educated about abstaining from sex and if they get engaged, they should use protection measures.
“Children who are involved in extramural activities will not necessarily engage in sex,” he said.
Uncle G also said children get engaged in sexual activities as a way of looking for love when they live in unfavourable circumstances.
He condemned the policy that sets the sexual age of consent in Namibia at 16, yet one is only allowed to vote and to buy alcohol at the age of 18.
“That is sick. What type of child engages in sex at 16? Yet, it is statutory rape if the child sleeps with someone three years older despite her consent. It does not matter whether she sleeps with a 17-year-old boy or a 30-year old man, either can get her pregnant,” Uncle G said.
He urged parents to have sexual conversations with their children, the ministry to support sex education in schools and to support adoption in Namibia as a way of curbing baby dumping.
“When we stop being this naive, the gullible Christian country we think we are, and we start showing love to our children so they can know there is love without sex, only then can we perhaps reduce baby dumping,” Uncle G said.
tuyeimo@namibian.com.na
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