Windhoek, NAMIBIA - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) supported the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of Namibia (FLON) through the One Economy Foundation to host a #BeFree Conversation at Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School in Katutura on 18 March 2019.

The noteworthy #BeFree Conversation was attended by over 200 learners from various schools across Windhoek and coincided with the visit by the Honourable Katherine Zappone, Minister of Children and Youth Affairs in Ireland.

The discussions were centred around sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including understanding of risk and consent. Other areas of focus varied from gender-based violence (GBV), substance abuse and mental health issues (depression and self-harm), absent fathers, bullying and peer pressure.

Young people in attendance were able to hear first-hand experiences of the issues under discussion through personal testimonies shared by survivors of teenage pregnancy, parental neglect, self-harm and prison sentence as a result of killing of an intimate partner.

The topics are important for the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development and are aligned with UNFPA Strategic Plan, the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) with the Government of the Republic of Namibia, specifically around the sub-pillar of ‘Protection against Violence’ in the Social Protection Pillar.

Irish Minister of Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, expressed her admiration towards the #BeFree Movement, particularly the conversations which are driven by young people. She stated that the #BeFree Conversation platform teaches valuable lessons on how to engage young people. She further shared policy and practice innovations implemented in Ireland, in order for young people to set the agenda and ensure access to services which are tailored to their needs.

 As part of the interactive dialogue, the First Lady Madam Monica Geingos, shared her perspective on issues which young people raised from the floor. Rape and consent stood out prominently and FLON used the opportunity to sensitise young people around what constitutes rape as well as statutory rape.

FLON also unpacked the issue of unsafe abortion and consent, offering the example that anyone intoxicated with substances is not in a position to consent to sexual activity. “This is not a lost generation, let the habit of not taking care of your children, or not taking care of your reproductive health, let the feelings of anger and abandonment end here with you. Learn from the mistakes that the generation before you made. This generation has an opportunity to seek help, to deal with the emotional pain from unresolved trauma, so that it does not come back,” FLON stated in her final remarks.

“We are very honoured to continue our partnership with FLON and One Economy to ensure that Namibia’s youth are heard. The #BeFree conversation gives us an opportunity to take a back seat and listen; allowing them [youth] to tell us how and in which areas they need help in,” said UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Dennia Gayle.

As part of promoting further participation, provision and referral to appropriate services, chatter boxes were available at the event for participants to share their concerns, request for information, services and make suggestions for improving the #BeFree dialogues.