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Abstract
Family constitutes more than simple living arrangements, and these systems are of pivotal development importance in sub-Saharan Africa. The diversity of family structures and types in sub-Saharan Africa has warranted an examination of the various policies and laws in the region. This paper examines all policy and laws related to families in the South, West, East and Central regions of sub-Saharan Africa. The paper highlights the sundry of policies and laws that are influenced by cultural and religious differences within and across regions. Issues relating to patriarchy and…
This country care review includes the Concluding Observations for the Committee on the Rights of the Child adopted as part of its examination of Namibia’s combined second and third periodic reports at the 61th Session of the Committee held between 17 September and 5 October 2012. The Committee’s recommendations on the issue of Family Environment and Alternative Care as well as other care relevant issues are highlighted, as well as other care-related concluding observations, ratification dates, and links to the Universal Periodic Review and Hague Intercountry Adoption Country Profile.
The Minimum Package is a guide to encourage the harmonizing of service delivery for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY) across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Member States can adopt or adapt these standards and guidelines at the national level. The Minimum Package identifies the basic needs of children and youth and the services they require as well as complementing services needed to deliver basic services. It also identifies the primary and secondary sectors and actors that can respond and how their services can be delivered in a coordinated,…
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The SADC region has an estimated 250 million people among the Member States. In each Member State more than 50% of the population is under the age of 18. These children need care, protection and support. Unfortunately for many, vulnerability does not end when they leave childhood. Many youth continue to be at risk. Poverty is endemic and employment scant. Many youth have limited training, are unable to find work, and potentially engage in risky coping strategies to survive. Certain groups are even more vulnerable. Young women aged 15-24 are three to four…
These standards are intended to guide social workers and other service providers in carrying out the tasks of recruiting, assessing, training, matching, supporting, supervising and monitoring when providing foster care services. The primary aim of these Standards is to ensure that the best interests of the child are sought when a child is in need of foster care.
The standards are designed to guide all those responsible for planning and providing foster care services, and for registering and monitoring Foster Care Service Providers in Namibia. The care provided can be measured and assessed…
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare of Namibia, mandated with ensuring efficient child welfare services and promotion of children’s well-being and rights, recently underwent the process of drafting the Child Care and Protection Bill. The process of legislative review and reform to develop the proposed bill was a remarkable and unique example of democracy and public participation – including children – in law-making.
By utilizing a rights-based approach, the drafting process of the Child Care Protection Bill has taken into account the reality behind enacting and…
This report prepared for the Namibian Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) assesses the existing framework for foster care in the light of the realities of Namibian foster care in practice. Based on information about foster care frameworks and guardianship legislation in other countries, recommendations are provided for new approaches to foster care and foster care grants which could be incorporated into Namibia’s forthcoming Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA).
The assessment of the existing framework for foster care in Namibia is carried out in close…
This study sought to assess, analyse and inform the different forms of vulnerabilities affecting children and youth, and their effects and existing strategies and programmes addressing the challenges and vulnerabilities facing orphans, vulnerable children and youth (OVCY) in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The study also sought to propose recommendations for improvement, and development of minimum standards for OVCY and the finalisation of the SADC OVCY Strategic Framework.
This Minimum Standards for Residential Child Care Facilities is the result of a participatory and consultative process with many of the people involved in alternative care in Namibia, including the children and young people themselves. It is a step forward that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has undertaken for the care and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia.
Several consultative workshops were held between July and November 2008 with social workers and policy makers from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, relevant persons…
This report prepared for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) with financial support from UNICEF Namibia assesses the country’s capacity to manage alternative care systems for children. As requested, the assessment concentrated on existing residential care facilities and standards. It was guided in part by the draft UN Guidelines for the Appropriate Use and Conditions of Alternative Care for Children.
Residential care provides a good entry point for assessing the systems of social protection that support the ideal situation of children living with their families in…