Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema says 21st century parenting involves unique hurdles, especially when it comes to technology.
She was speaking at the launch of the National Parenting and Caregiver Handbook and Facilitator Guide on Wednesday.
The guide is a project between the gender ministry and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The handbook promotes the traditional African adage ‘strong communities build strong children’.
The launch emphasised that raising a child in modern Namibia must be a communal effort involving parents, schools, and neighbours alike.
The new resource is designed to move away from the idea of isolated parenting, instead providing a structured support system that engages the entire community in the upbringing of the next generation.
During a panel discussion titled ‘Who is a Parent?’, Kantema said her ministry has established an online children’s exploitation task force to tackle cyberbullying and the misuse of children’s images.
The handbook’s seven modules specifically aim to help parents maintain the emotional stability required for positive parenting in the digital age.
The minister stressed the importance of taking these tools beyond Windhoek.
“I would really like to see that we roll this out . . . especially in the regions with traditional authorities, because they are the custodians at the grassroots level,” she said.
Deputy executive director of education, innovation, arts, and culture Edda Bohn reminded parents that education starts at home, saying the first 1 000 days from conception to age two are crucial.
The education ministry plans to integrate the manual into the ‘Whole School Framework’ involving school boards and pupil councils to foster secure learning environments.
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