Also known as: Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema · Minister Kantema · Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema · Dr. Emma Kantema · Minister Emma Kantema · Gender Equality and Social Welfare Minister Emma Kantema · Dr Emma Kantema · Honourable Dr Emma Kantema
Emma Kantema — Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, addressing social worker shortages and child protection concerns.
News reports
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The Namibian
Gender minister Emma Kantema urged all sectors of society to unite in protecting children against abuse
“Gender minister Emma Kantema has urged all sectors of society to unite in protecting children against abuse.”
Gender minister Kantema calls for stronger safety nets for Namibian childrenThe Namibian
Kantema said protecting children is not just a statutory duty, but a shared societal effort
“"Protecting children is not just a statutory duty, it is a shared societal effort to ensure every child in Namibia grows up safe, heard, and given the space to thrive," Kantema said.”
Gender minister Kantema calls for stronger safety nets for Namibian childrenThe Namibian
Emma Kantema says 15,000 old-age pensioners expected to have outstanding payments finalised by October pay day
“More than 15 000 old-age pensioners affected by a beneficiary verification exercise are expected to have their outstanding payments finalised by October pay day, minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema says.”
15 000 pensioners set for October payoutThe Namibian
Emma Kantema acknowledged the verification process has been slow, particularly when pensioners visit ministry offices
“She acknowledged that the verification process has been slow, particularly when pensioners visit ministry offices to update their information.”
15 000 pensioners set for October payoutNew Era
Emma Kantema told the National Assembly that 10,066 beneficiaries had been reinstated onto the system with payments being processed
“"From the over 15 000, we have managed to reinstate 10 066 beneficiaries onto the system, and the payments are being processed," Kantema said.”
Over 10 000 pensioners back on govt payrollNew Era
Emma Kantema said the ministry expects to clear the backlog by the end of October
“Kantema said the ministry expects to clear the backlog by the end of October.”
Over 10 000 pensioners back on govt payrollThe Namibian
Emma Kantema told young Namibians to participate in leadership opportunities without waiting to be told
“Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema has told young Namibians to participate in leadership opportunities without waiting to be told.”
Youth told not to wait for permission to leadThe Namibian
Emma Kantema warned that young people should not sacrifice their integrity while pursuing political positions
“However, she warned that young people should not sacrifice their integrity while pursuing political positions.”
Youth told not to wait for permission to leadWindhoek Observer
Emma Kantema attended as guest of honour and presented certificates of appreciation to 35 community leaders
“Emma Kantema, member of parliament and minister of gender equality and child welfare, attended as guest of honour and personally presented each of the 35 community leaders with a certificate of appreciation.”
Capricorn Group honours Namibia’s community heroesThe Namibian
Minister Emma Kantema says the integration programme seeks to strengthen children's social well-being by equipping them with life skills
“She says the integration programme seeks to strengthen children's social well-being by equipping them with life skills while reintegrating them into families, schools and communities.”
Fewer Namibian children living on streetsGender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema says children flagged in an auditor general's report for receiving N$250 million in grants were eligible under the Child Care and Protection Act, which allows those aged 18–21 to qualify if in school. The ministry is verifying beneficiaries and removing those unable to prove school attendance.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema says children flagged in an auditor general's report for receiving N$250 million in grants were eligible under the Child Care and Protection Act, which allows those aged 18–21 to qualify if in school. The ministry is verifying beneficiaries and removing those unable to prove school attendance.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of the Republic of Namibia, addressed a Male Engagement Symposium on coordinating Namibia's work with men and boys for gender equality and wellbeing, commending the UNFPA and partner organisations, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah called for coordinated national efforts to address social, educational and psychological challenges facing boys and men in Namibia, saying fragmented programmes have limited impact on gender equality and wellbeing.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
The First Gentleman, Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, commended the Ministry of Gender Equality's Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035 and Strategic Plan 2025–2030 for prioritising the empowerment of boys and men, citing concerns over male mental health and declining academic performance among male students in higher education.
8 October 2026 · Informanté →
Lt (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah warned at a Male Engagement Symposium that fragmented programmes limit impact and urged organisations working with boys and men to coordinate efforts rather than operate in isolation. Education data shows boys have lower promotion rates and higher dropout rates than girls, with 8,720 boys among 17,152 learners who dropped out in 2023.
8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has paused registration of new beneficiaries for the Conditional Basic Income Grant due to depleted funding, with resumption dependent on future budgetary resources. The monthly cash grant, paid to vulnerable Namibians aged 18–59, currently provides N$600 per month to eligible households.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Miss NGO Namibia has begun accepting applications for the next titleholder who will represent the country at the 74th Miss World Festival in Tanzania in 2027. The selection process will evaluate character, purpose, communication, leadership, preparation and contribution to society, not solely physical appearance.
26 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia has 330 vacant regional social worker positions out of 807 approved posts, with only 477 filled. Minister Emma Kantema attributed the shortfall to limited availability of qualified graduates and a preference among social workers for urban over rural postings, leaving remote areas underserved.
22 September 2026 · New Era →
Gender Minister Emma Kantema has called for all sectors of society—including parents, schools, law enforcement, and civil society—to work together to protect children against abuse and strengthen social safety nets.
20 September 2026 · The Namibian →
China and Namibia have agreed to deepen economic, diplomatic and people-to-people cooperation following the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era, an agreement reached during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China in July.
17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
More than 15,000 old-age pensioners suspended from payments following a beneficiary verification exercise are expected to have their outstanding payments finalised by October, according to the minister of gender equality and child welfare. Of the 15,785 pensioners affected, 10,066 have already been reinstated and are receiving payments, which will increase from N$1,600 to N$1,700.
10 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has reinstated 10,066 of 15,785 social grant beneficiaries onto the government payment system following a verification exercise that temporarily removed thousands from the payroll. The beneficiaries were affected when their details could not be matched with the National Population Registry System.
10 September 2026 · New Era →
Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema has told young Namibians to participate in leadership opportunities without waiting to be told, noting that leadership begins when one decides to take responsibility and that it is not reserved for a certain age. Kantema warned, however, that young people should not sacrifice their integrity while pursuing political positions.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Capricorn Group and Imago Dei held a ceremony in Windhoek to recognise 35 community leaders from across Namibia, with certificates of appreciation presented by Emma Kantema, minister of gender equality and child welfare. The event themed "Service Beyond Self: The Power of Everyday Heroes" recognised leaders advancing food security, child protection, early childhood development, women's livelihoods and community support.
27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The number of Namibian children receiving support for living and working on the street fell by more than 40% from 857 in 2014 to 485 in 2023, according to the government's Child Care and Protection Statistics Report (2014-2023). The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare attributes the decline to improved reintegration into families, schools and communities.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema said Namibia cannot afford to leave boys behind, and that investing in boys leads to stronger families, safer communities and a brighter future for the country. She was speaking at an engagement session in Nkurenkuru themed on empowering the boy child and creating responsible men.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema has called for African governments and development partners to move beyond commitments and take concrete action to improve the livelihoods of women and girls, urging that women be actively involved in designing, governing and managing initiatives that affect their lives and communities.
2 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A government report shows girls in Namibia recorded an annual average of 1,252 reported violence cases over 2014–2023, compared to 711 for boys, with the highest number of cases (1,698) reported in 2023. The data covers violence including kidnapping, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and trafficking.
23 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The welfare ministry has acknowledged mounting pressure on social workers due to staff shortages and case complexity, with Minister Emma Kantema noting that repeated exposure to severe cases involving child abuse, trafficking and family disputes leads to secondary trauma and burnout. The ministry has implemented wellness programmes, supportive supervision and debriefing sessions to support workers' mental health.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's welfare ministry has warned that social workers face mounting pressure and unsustainable workloads due to staff shortages and the increasing complexity of cases involving child abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and family disputes. Minister Emma Kantema told Parliament that social workers are exposed to secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and occupational burnout, and the ministry has implemented wellness programmes and supportive supervision to support their mental well-being.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare identified 373 children living and working on the streets in 2023 and plans to conduct a regional study this year to determine actual numbers and social and economic factors driving children to street life. The Khomas region recorded the highest number of street-connected children.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called on African governments to build ethical, technology-driven and people-centred public services to improve service delivery, create jobs and drive economic growth. Speaking at the AMDIN Conference in Windhoek, Ngurare said African leaders must be principled, strengthen institutional oversight and transparency, and reject self-enrichment through public office.
21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's eight state-run shelters for gender-based violence survivors operate with a N$1 million annual budget covering only food and basics, accommodating only 80 GBV clients at any time despite thousands of reported cases. Staffing shortages, no national system to track turned-away victims, and restricted access policies compound the pressure, with the ministry acknowledging the sheltering system is "not yet fully adequate to meet all demand across the country."
22 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare sheltered 347 survivors of gender-based violence, child abuse and trafficking in the past year through counselling and designated safe places. The ministry, allocated N$417 million for 2026/27, also accommodated 520 children in homes and shelters, provided psychosocial support to over 5,000 children, and recruited 21 additional social workers to strengthen response services.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has been allocated N$417.2 million for the 2026/2027 financial year to advance gender equity, child protection, and women's economic empowerment across Namibia. In the past year, the ministry supported 347 survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking, accommodated 329 street children in boarding schools, and expanded early childhood development enrolment from 110,726 to 126,213 across the country.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Elly Aron will compete for Namibia at the 73rd Miss World pageant in Vietnam from August to September, promoting Namibian cultural diversity and preventing teenage pregnancies. She has backing from the government and Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, who calls her participation a national responsibility.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Child welfare minister Emma Kantema has called on mothers in distress to seek counselling and support rather than abandon their babies, noting that those facing abusive relationships or poverty can explore legal options including family care, adoption, and places of safety. The minister warned that leaving infants in undesignated spaces could have consequences and encouraged families to reach out to the child welfare ministry for assistance.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Development Bank of Namibia has launched DBN For Her, a women-focused financing initiative backed by N$400 million from the African Development Bank, offering loans ranging from N$150,000 to N$10 million to women-owned businesses employing between five and 300 people.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC parliamentarian Lilian Lutuhezi has called for measures to stop the exploitation of children as labourers on farms, in villages, and as domestic workers, citing a recent case of an Angolan girl arrested from illegal employment. She said the practice violates the Child Care and Protection Act of 2015 and Namibia's international commitments to protect children from exploitation.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian criticised the recently tabled budget for not addressing the shortage of gender-based violence shelters, noting that Namibia has only eight government-operated shelters with six regions having none. She also highlighted severe shortages in social workers, with Namibia having one social worker for every 17,923 children compared to the international standard of one per 5,000 children.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →