Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

Emma Kantema

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

Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare addressing social worker burnout, GBV shelter capacity, and women's advancement across sectors.

2024-08-242026-07-23
Share on WhatsApp

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Minister Kantema warned that leaving infants in undesignated spaces could have consequences

    Source

    “Kantema, however, warned that leaving infants in undesignated spaces such as fire stations, schools, hospitals and clinics could have consequences.”

    Don’t abandon babies, seek help – minister

  3. The Namibian

    Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema said empowering women is key to economic growth

    Source

    “Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema says empowering women is key to economic growth and stronger communities.”

    DBN launches N$400 million women-only financing platform

  4. The Namibian

    Emma Kantema said no circumstance justifies violence against a child

    Source

    “Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema yesterday said no circumstance justifies violence against a child, and adults who perpetrate or enable such acts will face the full force of justice.”

    Windhoek Grade 1 pupil allegedly assaulted by classmate’s father

  5. New Era

    Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Emma Kantema underlined women are underrepresented in technical and leadership roles in aviation

    Source

    “Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, underlined that women are underrepresented in technical and leadership roles, whether as pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, or executives and closing this gap requires more than aspiration; it requires structured pathways, mentorship, and accountability.”

    Namibia commits to empower women in aviation

  6. Informanté

    Minister Dr. Emma Kantema highlighted the underrepresentation of women in technical and leadership roles

    Source

    “Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Dr. Emma Kantema highlighted the underrepresentation of women in technical and leadership roles, stressing the need for structured pathways, mentorship, and accountability.”

    Namibia reaffirms commitment to empower women in aviation

  7. The Namibian

    Minister Emma Kantema officially inaugurated the facilities at WJD Cloete Combined School

    Source

    “Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema officialy inaugurated the facilities last week.”

    Hardap school WJD Cloete gets classrooms worth N$1.4 million

  8. The Namibian

    Minister Emma Kantema said 21st century parenting involves unique hurdles, especially with technology

    Source

    “Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema says 21st century parenting involves unique hurdles, especially when it comes to technology.”

    Parenting handbook addresses digital hurdles and communal child-rearing in Namibia

  9. The Namibian

    Kantema said her ministry has established an online children's exploitation task force to tackle cyberbullying and misuse of children's images

    Source

    “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.”

    Parenting handbook addresses digital hurdles and communal child-rearing in Namibia
  10. February 2026

  11. The Namibian

    Minister Emma Kantema said the programme enhances entrepreneurial capacity among women micro-entrepreneurs

    Source

    “Speaking during a visit by UN Women regional director for East and southern Africa Anna Mutavati yesterday, minister Emma Kantema said the programme enhances entrepreneurial capacity among women micro-entrepreneurs.”

    Gender ministry empowers1 485 women through skills

  12. The Namibian

    Minister Emma Kantema said the programme enhances entrepreneurial capacity among women micro-entrepreneurs

    Source

    “Speaking during a visit by UN Women regional director for East and southern Africa Anna Mutavati on Thursday, minister Emma Kantema said the programme enhances entrepreneurial capacity among women micro-entrepreneurs.”

    Gender ministry empowers 1 485 women
Society

Welfare ministry says social workers under unsustainable pressure

The News

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 →

Friday 17 July

  1. Welfare ministry says social workers under unsustainable pressure

    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 →

  2. Welfare ministry reports social workers losing more than 20 annually

    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 →

Thursday 16 July

  1. Ministry identifies 373 street-connected children in 2023

    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 →

Thursday 21 May

  1. PM Ngurare urges ethical, tech-driven African public services

    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 →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Namibia's state GBV shelters strain under tight budget and capacity limits

    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 →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Ministry shelters 347 GBV and trafficking survivors in past year

    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 →

  2. Minister Kantema presents N$417.2m gender equality and child welfare budget

    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 →

Saturday 4 April

  1. Namibian beauty queen Elly Aron to represent nation at Miss World

    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 →

Sunday 29 March

  1. Minister urges distressed mothers to seek help instead of abandoning babies

    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 →

Thursday 26 March

  1. DBN launches N$400 million financing platform for women entrepreneurs

    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 →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. IPC MP calls for urgent action against child labour in Namibia

    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 →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Budget fails to fund gender-based violence shelters, parliamentarian says

    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 →

  2. Windhoek Grade 1 pupil hospitalised after alleged assault by classmate's father

    A 7-year-old boy was hospitalised at Windhoek Central Hospital after allegedly being assaulted by the father of a classmate who discovered his son crying after an incident at school. The Namibian government says it is investigating the matter, with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare condemning the incident and emphasising that no circumstance justifies violence against children.

    11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 9 March

  1. Namibia commits to empowering women in aviation sector

    At a Women in Aviation Namibia summit held Friday at Droombos in Windhoek, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing women in aviation through aligned national policies and regional frameworks, while emphasizing that women should pursue roles based on merit and capability rather than gender. Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi and Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Emma Kantema highlighted that aviation must provide structured pathways, mentorship, and accountability to close the gap in female representation in technical and leadership roles.

    9 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia reaffirms commitment to empowering women in aviation

    Government leaders and industry stakeholders at the Women in Aviation Namibia Summit emphasised the need for inclusive opportunities and mentorship for women in the aviation sector, with the Prime Minister noting that women should pursue roles based on merit and capability, and the Minister of Gender Equality stressing the need for structured pathways and accountability to address women's underrepresentation in technical and leadership roles.

    9 March 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Minister hails women's advances in Namibian justice sector

    Gender Equality Minister Emma Kantema has praised the growing presence of women in Namibia's judiciary, noting recent milestones including the appointment of the first permanent woman judge to the Supreme Court and increased representation of women judges and magistrates. She acknowledged these achievements as evidence of women's capacity to lead at the highest levels while also flagging safety concerns for female judicial officers, referencing the 2025 death of prosecutor Justine Shiweda.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 March

  1. Hardap school receives N$1.4 million in new classrooms

    WJD Cloete Combined School in Rietoog was inaugurated with four new classrooms and storage facilities worth N$1.4 million, made possible through a partnership between Children in the Wilderness and IXM Metals. The infrastructure aims to improve access to education in the rural Hardap region and reduce the need for pupils to travel long distances to neighbouring towns.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Namibia launches parenting handbook addressing digital age challenges

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and Ministry of Health and Social Services have launched a National Parenting and Caregiver Handbook that emphasises community-based child-rearing and provides resources for parents navigating 21st century parenting challenges, including technology and cyberbullying. The handbook's seven modules are designed to help parents maintain emotional stability and promote the African principle that "strong communities build strong children."

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Gender ministry trains 1,485 women entrepreneurs through UN programme

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has empowered 1,485 women with entrepreneurial skills through the EntreprenHER programme, funded by UN Women, which provides digital and financial literacy training to support women micro-entrepreneurs. The programme, now in its third phase across Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, has supported over 2,400 women-owned micro-enterprises, with the ministry now exploring partnerships to advance to phase four.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. Gender ministry trains 1,485 women entrepreneurs through EntreprenHER

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has empowered 1,485 women in entrepreneurial skills via the EntreprenHER programme, which provides digital and financial literacy training and market access support. The UN-funded initiative, now in phase 3, has supported over 2,400 micro-enterprises across Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana, with the ministry exploring partnerships for further expansion.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 February

  1. Workshop addresses environmental stewardship, gender in disaster resilience

    Government stakeholders held an inter-stakeholder engagement workshop in Windhoek focused on establishing environmental stewardship and embedding gender mainstreaming across resilience efforts. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called for science-based approaches and resilience education, while ministers highlighted the need for climate-smart infrastructure, differentiated support for women and vulnerable groups, and integrated policy responses to escalating climate risks.

    3 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 29 January

  1. Gender ministry chief urges staff to deliver faster service

    Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Emma Kantema called on staff to embrace a "business unusual" approach focused on decisive action, accountability and measurable results in service delivery. She stressed that public service is about serving citizens—not personal comfort—and urged staff to address gender-based violence, child protection and other challenges through problem-solving and follow-up rather than passing citizens between offices.

    29 January 2026 · New Era →

Emma Kantema — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute