Kantema urges mothers to seek help instead of abandoning infants

NAMPA

2026-03-26

KATIMA MULILO, 10 December 2025 – Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema says that although technology is a powerful tool for empowerment, it has become a new frontier for violence. She was speaking during the commemoration of International Human Rights Day / Namibian Women's Day on Wednesday. (Photo: Contributed)

WINDHOEK, 26 MAR (NAMPA) – The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema has urged mothers in distress to seek counselling and support instead of abandoning their babies.
Kantema made the call during a government information sharing session here on Thursday, that focused on child neglect and abandonment alongside their causes and effects, as well as social responsibility.
“We are really encouraging young mothers, we are really encouraging mothers to seek help so that we can come out and assist,” she stressed, saying that some mothers find themselves in difficult positions such as abusive relationships and poverty, and counselling helps in such situations.
“With that counselling, we’ll then look at what your situation is, and we’ll assist you to explore various ways,” the minister added.
Although she does not encourage abandonment, the minister highlighted legal channels through which mothers can give up their babies if they cannot care for them at all. These include kinship care, adoption and places of safety.
However, she warned that leaving infants in undesignated spaces such as fire stations, schools, hospitals and clinics can lead to consequences.
She concluded by indicating that those in need of assistance including fathers can reach out to the child welfare ministry, as well as the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
As baby dumping in Namibia is a problem, the country’s Child Care and Protection Act of 2019 decriminalised the action of abandoning healthy infants in a selected safe space, to encourage mothers to refrain from unsafe abandonment.
(NAMPA)
EST/PS/EK

care infants minister

Community

Man denied bail on alleged rape charge

2026-08-18 14:56:21

Consultation flags governance gaps, disability barriers in Nkurenkuru APRM review

2026-08-18 09:30:13

Man arrested for allegedly raping 15-year-old girl

2026-08-17 14:11:42

Partly commitee calls for urgent overhaul of small-scale mining sector

2026-08-16 11:38:30

Partly commitee calls for urgent overhaul of small-scale mining sector

2026-08-16 11:38:07

Gobabis Municipality sets deadline for outstanding accounts

2026-08-15 19:54:58

Market access, regulatory reforms top small-scale mining plights

2026-08-15 13:48:58

Otavi murder suspect allegedly commits suicide by shooting

2026-08-15 13:48:26

Repatriation of liberation struggle remains offers nation closure: Gaeb

2026-08-14 16:36:46

Hardap youth encouraged to tap into government opportunities

2026-08-14 10:19:12

Small-scale miners seek government intervention on licences, equipment

2026-08-14 10:09:20

Latest NAMPA photos

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Namibia’s independence was a collective victory. The southern regions of Hardap and ||Karas were central to the struggle, anchored by local churches that risked everything to shelter PLAN fighters and educate the future leaders of our nation. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

HOACHANAS, 12 August 2026 - Historian and liberation struggle icon Markus Kooper, in collaboration with the Hoachanas community, has established a community library to preserve the history of the southern region, including the Red Clan history and past freedom struggle events. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 - The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Jacqueline Juliana Rukamba, a former principal at Khoichas Primary School in the Karas region, significantly contributed to Namibia's independence, particularly in education, during the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – Gaob Salomon Josephat Witbooi, former Namibian ambassador to Zambia, reflected on the southern region's contribution to Namibia's struggle for independence during a discussion with Nampa's team. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 15 August 2026 - South Africa’s Kelsey Jade van Schoor (in green) during the 2026 Pupkewitz Megabuild Tour de Windhoek. She was crowned the overall champion of the 2026 women’s category. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA