Power to the children!
A whopping 62% of the Namibian population is between the ages of 15 and 34, hence the children’s parliament strives to voice the rights of children and young people.
Justicia Shipena
Hosted by parliament, in partnership with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the first session of the fifth children’s parliament attracted a total of 98 children from all corners of Namibia.
The session was in full swing from 16 August and concluded this past Friday.
Under the theme ‘Engaging young people in the legislative process’, the children’s parliament aims to promote awareness of children’s rights and strengthen children’s participation in the legislative process and policy development.
According to Rachel Odede, the UNICEF country representative, the fifth children’s parliament is a continuation of the commitment made by Namibia when it ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the in 1990, six months after independence, to give its children a voice through the children’s parliament.
“On 20 November the world, including Namibia, will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” she said.
Odede added this means that anyone who turns 29 this year is part of the first generation of Namibians to go from birth to adulthood, while being protected by the CRC.
She continued saying that article 21 of the CRC reminds us of the role of the state and adults in facilitating the participation of children and young people in decision-making processes on matters that affect their lives.
Odede said the article further states that governments should provide an opportunity and platform for children to be heard.
“The significance of this platform does not only rest in the fact that young people will have a say, but in its main goal of analysing issues that are of concern to young people,” she said.
National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi highlighted a few achievements of the previous children’s parliaments.
Katjavivi said the fourth session of the children’s parliament, which was held in May 2013, tabled and debated a total of 98 motions.
“The inputs from the fourth session of the children’s parliament led to the inclusion of clauses dealing with the National Advisory Council on Children and the children’s advocate/ombudsman in the Child Care and Protection Act,” he said.
Katjavivi added that important policy inputs from the fourth children’s parliament, like the need to give a second chance to young, pregnant girls to go back to school after delivering their babies, as well as those who fail grade 10, were incorporated into a policy by the line ministry.
“Such learners are considered for readmission, provided the facilities and resources are available to accommodate them,” he said.
Katjavivi implored the current children’s parliament members to use their experience to create a positive impact in the lives of other young people.
He also encouraged the newly elected members to seize the moment and maximise their participation in the life-changing experience.
Cristoph Ndengu, a learner at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School, said what is exciting about being part of the children’s parliament is that they are the voice of the voiceless and represent fellow peers, who are not able to do so.
“It serves a great platform to advocate for children and youth empowerment, as what is social economic growth if the youth are not directly involved? I am able to air my views on issues that affect the youth and find different solutions to tackle them,” he said.
The elected and appointed leaders of the fifth children’s parliament
Name
Position
Region
Committee
Nevel Ndoli
Speaker
Zambezi
National Assembly
Josefina Ankonya
Deputy speaker
Erongo
National Assembly
Wayne McKay
Nephilian Kasilawa
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
//Karas
Zambezi
Standing Committee on Gender Equality and Social Welfare
Rivaldo Kavanga
Eveline Namupala
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
Khomas
Omusati
Standing Committee on Health
Ezekiel Kuhanga
Moesha Hengari
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
//Karas
Khomas
Standing Committee on Children’s Rights and Climate Change
Lawrencius Simon
Ndinelao Shinyama
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
Hardap
Erongo
Standing Committee on Education, ICT and Innovation
Breschneff Katjito
Chief whip
//Karas
National Assembly
Hope Kaizemi
Deputy chief whip
Hardap
National Assembly
Kennedy Victor
Chief whip assistant
Kunene
National Assembly
Hosted by parliament, in partnership with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the first session of the fifth children’s parliament attracted a total of 98 children from all corners of Namibia.
The session was in full swing from 16 August and concluded this past Friday.
Under the theme ‘Engaging young people in the legislative process’, the children’s parliament aims to promote awareness of children’s rights and strengthen children’s participation in the legislative process and policy development.
According to Rachel Odede, the UNICEF country representative, the fifth children’s parliament is a continuation of the commitment made by Namibia when it ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the in 1990, six months after independence, to give its children a voice through the children’s parliament.
“On 20 November the world, including Namibia, will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” she said.
Odede added this means that anyone who turns 29 this year is part of the first generation of Namibians to go from birth to adulthood, while being protected by the CRC.
She continued saying that article 21 of the CRC reminds us of the role of the state and adults in facilitating the participation of children and young people in decision-making processes on matters that affect their lives.
Odede said the article further states that governments should provide an opportunity and platform for children to be heard.
“The significance of this platform does not only rest in the fact that young people will have a say, but in its main goal of analysing issues that are of concern to young people,” she said.
National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi highlighted a few achievements of the previous children’s parliaments.
Katjavivi said the fourth session of the children’s parliament, which was held in May 2013, tabled and debated a total of 98 motions.
“The inputs from the fourth session of the children’s parliament led to the inclusion of clauses dealing with the National Advisory Council on Children and the children’s advocate/ombudsman in the Child Care and Protection Act,” he said.
Katjavivi added that important policy inputs from the fourth children’s parliament, like the need to give a second chance to young, pregnant girls to go back to school after delivering their babies, as well as those who fail grade 10, were incorporated into a policy by the line ministry.
“Such learners are considered for readmission, provided the facilities and resources are available to accommodate them,” he said.
Katjavivi implored the current children’s parliament members to use their experience to create a positive impact in the lives of other young people.
He also encouraged the newly elected members to seize the moment and maximise their participation in the life-changing experience.
Cristoph Ndengu, a learner at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School, said what is exciting about being part of the children’s parliament is that they are the voice of the voiceless and represent fellow peers, who are not able to do so.
“It serves a great platform to advocate for children and youth empowerment, as what is social economic growth if the youth are not directly involved? I am able to air my views on issues that affect the youth and find different solutions to tackle them,” he said.
The elected and appointed leaders of the fifth children’s parliament
Name
Position
Region
Committee
Nevel Ndoli
Speaker
Zambezi
National Assembly
Josefina Ankonya
Deputy speaker
Erongo
National Assembly
Wayne McKay
Nephilian Kasilawa
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
//Karas
Zambezi
Standing Committee on Gender Equality and Social Welfare
Rivaldo Kavanga
Eveline Namupala
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
Khomas
Omusati
Standing Committee on Health
Ezekiel Kuhanga
Moesha Hengari
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
//Karas
Khomas
Standing Committee on Children’s Rights and Climate Change
Lawrencius Simon
Ndinelao Shinyama
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
Hardap
Erongo
Standing Committee on Education, ICT and Innovation
Breschneff Katjito
Chief whip
//Karas
National Assembly
Hope Kaizemi
Deputy chief whip
Hardap
National Assembly
Kennedy Victor
Chief whip assistant
Kunene
National Assembly
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