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UNFPA Namibia Annual Report 2023

In pursuit of the ICPD vision

UNFPA Namibia Annual Report 2023

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Message from the Representative

2023 was a year of introspection and renewed commitment in pursuit of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). Themed 'Year of Revival' by the Namibian Head of State, together with the Namibian Government and civil society organisations, we reflected on three decades of implementing the ICPD Programme of Action and a decade of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD), which localises the ICPD agenda in Africa.

Our review revealed that there has been some progress — fewer women are dying during pregnancy and childbirth, more women have access to family planning, and more girls are attending school. Challenges persist. The adolescent birth rate remains high, at 82 births per 1000 and HIV incidence among young women (15-24 years) at 0.9% contributing to 30% of infections. Gender-based violence remains a significant issue at 33%.

To address these challenges, together with the Namibian Government and other partners, we continued to explore innovative strategies to enhance access to quality integrated sexual and reproductive health services for all individuals in Namibia, particularly those furthest behind.

As we look forward to 2024, UNFPA remains committed to supporting the Namibian Government to further analyse the census data and produce relevant thematic reports. These are just a few of the many achievements we accomplished collectively with our partners, the Namibian Government, donors, civil society organisations, and the people of Namibia themselves.

We extend our deepest gratitude as we continue our journey toward a Namibia where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

Erika Goldson, UNFPA Namibia Representative

Who we are

We are UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency in Namibia.

Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Aligned with Namibia’s Fifth National Development Plan (2019-2023), Vision 2030, and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2019-2023), we are dedicated to advancing the ICPD Programme of Action and realising the following transformative results.

Country context

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Towards Ending Unmet need for Family Planning

In 2023, UNFPA remained committed to collaborating with the Namibian Government and partners to uphold access to safe and voluntary family planning as a fundamental human right.

Through strategic support to the national family planning programme, UNFPA aimed to ensure universal access to high-quality services for all individuals in Namibia, with a special focus on adolescents, young people, and women.

UNFPA, in partnership with the Society for Family Health (SFH) and Namibian Family Planning Association (NAPPA), has supported initiatives reaching 42,333 young people across nine regions through mobile and static clinics.

These young people not only received vital sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information but were also empowered to make informed decisions regarding their SRH rights.

The comprehensive services provided encompassed HIV counselling and testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), antiretroviral therapy (ART), family planning, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), cervical cancer screening, and gender-based violence screening and counselling. 

Additionally, UNFPA facilitated capacity building for healthcare workers in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and Organon South Africa, a global healthcare company. The training focused on enhancing healthcare workers' capacities in family planning, with a specific emphasis on long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC).

As a result, 149 healthcare providers were trained, leading to the successful insertion of 1,387 long-term acting reversible contraceptive methods, primarily implants, during their practical training. Moreover, the Country Office prioritised comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and its linkages with services.

Collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and higher learning institutions, 553 pre-service teachers and nurses were trained in CSE, along with 89 in-service professionals.

Key results in 2023

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Towards Ending Preventable Maternal Deaths

Ending maternal deaths from preventable causes is a cornerstone of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and an important indicator in the Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2023, UNFPA and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to assisting the Government in reducing maternal mortality, with a focus on safeguarding the most vulnerable women.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the University of Namibia School of Medicine, comprehensive abortion care trainings were conducted in Oshana, Erongo, and Karas regions. Seventy-four service providers, including doctors and nurses, were oriented on Comprehensive Abortion Care, including practical training on manual vacuum aspiration. This initiative is crucial in reducing maternal mortality rates linked to unsafe abortion practices.

UNFPA, alongside the National Assembly, actively supported the Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Family Affairs in conducting public hearings on the Abortion and Sterilisation Act 2 of 1975. These hearings gathered community perspectives to inform amendments to the existing act, shaping debates within parliament. This collaborative effort ensures that community voices play a central role in legislative decisions.

With funding from the Government of Japan, UNFPA led the transformation of the Kazetjitindire Angelika Muharukhua Maternity Waiting Home from a facility lacking furnishings to a well-equipped space. Donated items such as a double-door refrigerator, two industrial stoves, eight dining tables, 40 chairs, a stainless steel table with a shelf, 25 drinking jars, 25 blankets, 25 treated mosquito nets, and two sewing machines. were instrumental in creating a comfortable and functional environment.

Key results

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Towards Ending Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices

UNFPA's mission is grounded in the belief that every individual deserves equal rights and protections. We prioritize the empowerment of women and young people, recognizing the challenges they face in exercising their sexual and reproductive health rights.

In 2023, UNFPA collaborated with partners to bolster the capacity of national institutions to deliver comprehensive gender-based violence (GBV) response services and empower communities to prevent GBV.

A significant portion of these endeavors were made possible through funding from the Government of Japan under the Leaving No One Behind Project.

UNFPA supported the Association of Diplomatic Spouses (ADS) in Namibia to host an international food and craft bazaar on 13 May 2023, to support GBV prevention and response efforts in the country. 

The event served as a platform for local businesses, including those owned by GBV survivors and individuals with disabilities, to showcase and sell their products and services, thereby enhancing livelihood opportunities. 

With over 900 attendees, the bazaar generated proceeds allocated to training programs and community-led initiatives, as well as supporting the non-governmental organisation LifeLine/ChildLine.

UNFPA partnered with One Economy to organise the #BeFreeBallers soccer tournament, a dynamic initiative aimed at raising awareness about mental health, sexual health, gender equality, and substance abuse among men.

With funding from the Japanese Government, the tournament provided a unique platform for over 100 men to spotlight their role as allies in combating GBV and gender inequality. Engaging in their favorite pastime, soccer, participants were able to join meaningful discussions and activities focused on promoting positive masculinities.

Key results

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Towards Ending Sexual Transmission of HIV

Taboos, stigma, discrimination, and inequalities hinder access to HIV prevention and treatment services.

UNFPA not only works to reduce transmission of HIV and other infections, but links this effort with sexual and reproductive health in law, policy, health systems and service delivery.

Partnering with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia Planned Parenthood Association, African Youth and Adolescent Network, and with technical support from UNFPA and the Global Fund, we conducted eight Condomise campaigns in 2023.

These campaigns targeted young people across six regions: Omusati, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Erongo, and Hardap. The primary aim was to raise awareness and foster demand for condom use among youth, while advocating for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention with an emphasis on consistent condom use

These campaigns not only disseminated crucial information but also empowered young individuals to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health, thereby contributing to the reduction of HIV and STI transmission rates among Namibia's youth population.

The Country Office submitted documentation showcasing best and promising practices in HIV testing via mobile outreach.

Notably, this best practice was featured in the 53rd Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Programme Coordinating Board meeting report, acknowledging its significance and effectiveness in HIV testing.

Key results

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Results Recommendations

Investing in Young People

Investing in young people, especially those left behind such as youth living with disabilities, is a strategic focus area for UNFPA. Below are highlights of disability inclusion interventions in 2023 aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and ensuring their meaningful participation.

PWDs participated in drafting and validating the new HIV National Strategic Framework (NSF) to address unique challenges in HIV prevention and treatment.

Facilitated the integration of the Washington Group questions into 2023 Namibia Population and Demographic Census, enhancing data collection on disability demographics.

Collaborated with the National Youth Council (NYC) to include youth with disabilities in climate change training, empowering marginalised youth to contribute to environmental discussions.

Provided targeted Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) sessions for students with visual impairments, empowering them with knowledge about SRHR.

UNFPA and its implementing partners provided targeted SRHR services during the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) commemoration, addressing the unique needs of PWDs.

UNFPA actively engaged in formulating the National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism, collaborating with various stakeholders to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with albinism.

Generating Evidence

In 2023, UNFPA continued its commitment to supporting the government in producing crucial population data essential for policy formulation, strategic planning, programme monitoring, and evaluation. Here are highlights of some of UNFPA's key contributions to Namibia's efforts.

Provided technical support for Namibia's first digital Population and Housing Census (PHC), ensuring its successful completion. Specialised experts, including a Census Chief Technical Advisor, a CSPro and data expert, and a Post-Enumeration Survey Consultant aided in data cleaning, management and drafting of reports , enabling timely release of the census preliminary results and effective execution of all other census activities.

Through rigorous and continuous monitoring of census activities, facilitated the successful conclusion of the 2023 Population and Housing Census enumeration activities.

Facilitated the loaning of 12,700 census tablets from United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Statistics South Africa, fostering South-South cooperation. Of those, 11,000 were transported from Togo and 1,700 from South Africa, enhancing a smooth undertaking of the 2023 PHC.

Supported the development of Namibia's inaugural Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), finalised and launched in 2023 by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). This strategy enhances coordination within Namibia's statistical system, laying the groundwork for comprehensive planning and policy monitoring.

Collaborated with World Health Organisation (WHO) to support Namibia's Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. Noteworthy achievements include launching the second Mortality and Causes of Deaths report, analysing data from 2018 to 2021. This initiative led to the availability of timely and quality statistics for informed decision-making.

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