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ZONE: Germany backs planned parenthood drive with N$ 1.9 million

• 1 Week Ago

The German government has committed N$1.9 million towards a new initiative aimed at tackling teenage pregnancy and improving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among young people in Namibia’s Kavango, Kunene and Omusati regions.

The funding will support the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association’s (NAPPA) Pamwe Project, a programme designed to provide comprehensive sex education, improve access to youth-friendly healthcare services, and address cultural barriers that can prevent young people from seeking help.

The funding agreement was signed by the German ambassador to Namibia, Thorsten Hutter, and NAPPA representatives, including chairperson Sevelia Kasuto, executive director Natalia Ihemba, and communications and advocacy manager Louise Mhundwa.

The project began on 1 May 2026 and will run until 31 December 2026.

Pamwe, meaning “together” in several Namibian languages, aims to reduce teenage pregnancies while promoting informed decision-making and gender equality among adolescents and young adults.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hutter described teenage pregnancy as one of Namibia’s most pressing social challenges. “Teenage pregnancy remains one of the most significant barriers to equality and opportunity for young women and girls in Namibia. With a national rate twice the global average, and even higher figures in rural regions, this is a challenge that demands a thoughtful, community-rooted response.”

According to Ihemba, teenage pregnancy is often a symptom of deeper structural issues. “Teenage pregnancy is often the visible outcome of deeper structural challenges, including poverty, limited access to accurate information, unequal gender relations, disability exclusion and cultural barriers that prevent young people from seeking help,” she said.

Ihemba said the project would work closely with schools, communities, healthcare workers, traditional leaders and parents to create safe environments where young people can access services without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Kasuto emphasised the importance of partnerships in addressing the issue. “The success of Pamwe depends on collective action. By working together, we can create opportunities for young people to access the information and services they need to make informed choices about their futures,” she said.

Namibia continues to face high rates of adolescent pregnancy, with 82 pregnancies recorded per 1 000 girls aged 15 to 19, according to the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey. The consequences often include school dropouts and increased gender inequality, as well as unsafe abortions.