Country Namibia is located in Southern Africa with the Atlantic Ocean stretching across its western border. Namibia had an estimated population in 2010 of 2.3 million people, of which approximately 989,000 are under the age of 18. Namibia has a GNI per capita of US$ 4,650.

Situational analysis Namibia, like many of its neighbors, faces a large threat from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Namibia currently has nearly 160,000 orphans and vulnerable children, representing over 30% of the Namibian population under the age of 18. Additionally, Namibia’s rural population suffers from poor infrastructure with only 14% of rural Namibians using improved sanitation facilities. Namibian young people also face issues of high unemployment rates, which some argue has been largely ignored by the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture. Recently, a group of Namibian young people gathered to demonstrate and raise awareness for the issue. Deputy Minister Pohamba Shifeta was quoted as saying “I’ve looked at our economy, and it can’t absorb all these young people unless we create new opportunities.” Organizations like the Youth Achievers Empowerment Project and Catholic Aids Action are helping Namibia combat its HIV/AIDS crisis, while government programs such as the National Youth Service and National Youth Credit Scheme help create job opportunities and foster civically engaged young people.

Policy Since independence in 1990, the government has empowered, encouraged, and supported the effective and constructive youth participation of Namibian youth. These programs are in the process of nation building in accordance with the United Nations World Program of Action for Youth for the year 2000 as well as the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment and the National Youth Policy. This is done to ensure that youth concerns, needs and aspirations are fully integrated in the mainstream of all government policies and actions.