Renthia Kaimbi
Delegates at the eighth session of the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners have passed a resolution calling for urgent support and empowerment of the boy child, describing him as increasingly vulnerable and left behind.
The session, held under the theme “Breaking Barriers”, addressed issues ranging from infrastructure to healthcare.
The resolution on the boy child, however, became one of the most pressing points of discussion.
It highlighted a shift toward recognising that rural youth face complex challenges that require a balanced approach.
The chairperson of the National Council, Maria Mwala, said the gathering had “confronted the persistent challenges facing our rural communities”, and the resolution underscored a previously neglected concern.
The motion stressed that while empowering the girl child remains crucial, “ignoring these challenges [facing boys] risks creating a generation of young men who feel excluded, unsupported and disconnected from their potential.”
Delegates cited “educational setbacks, emotional neglect, and limited access to mentorship” as silent struggles for boys in rural areas.
They called on the government, educational institutions, and community leaders to develop targeted programmes providing education, mentorship, and emotional support for boys.
“We must also recognise the growing vulnerabilities faced by the boy child,” the resolution stated, describing the issue as central to building inclusive and resilient communities.
The motion formed part of fifteen resolutions aimed at holistic rural development.
Other resolutions called for the Constituency Development Fund Bill to be expedited, rural road infrastructure to be improved for emergency access, and the Procurement Act to be reviewed to benefit small businesses.
Mwala said the session showed that “when women and men unite as partners, the solutions we craft are inclusive, grounded, and sustainable.”
Delegates described the resolution on the boy child as an example of this partnership, tackling a sensitive issue through a united voice.
The parliament urged a national conversation and concrete policy measures to ensure boys in rural areas are supported to reach their potential and contribute to Namibia’s development.
