UNICEF is exploring a partnership with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to strengthen public awareness on child rights, disability, gender-based violence and other issues affecting children.
UNICEF's Representative, Samuel Ocran, congratulated the NBC's SADC award-winning In the Community programme, saying 'community-focused programming' gives a voice to vulnerable groups and can help advance child rights priorities outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan -NDP6.
"You see, that is where you come in. That's why the community programme becomes so important, because with the community programme services get to those people who need them. And of course, with the children's programme, it also helps them to know the importance and the awareness of certain things."
He said UNICEF has funding earmarked for disability-related programmes and indicated that the organisation is open to working with NBC to create greater awareness around disability and other child rights issues.
Ocran also called for programmes targeting boys, saying the responsibility for addressing issues affecting the boy child should not rest solely with the First Gentleman.
The NBC's Director General, Menesia Muinjo, welcomed the proposed partnership.
"It is true, it's our mandate, and we want to do more. But at times, some challenges in terms of limitations are really not allowing us to reach the farthest corner of this country. And that's why when you really hear a message that says, "I'm there to hold your hand and make it happen."
The producer and presenter of In the Community, Elago Shitaatala, said the programme was created to give communities a platform to raise issues affecting their daily lives.
"But what we have noticed in the work that we've been doing with the previous seasons that we've worked on is that there has been great impact."
Acting Chief of News and Programming, Peter Denk, said UNICEF would be an important resource in helping NBC develop programming that creates measurable impact among beneficiaries.
"We are not always able to do it because of resource limitations, and also there's a lot of pressure for us to do the next days and other things. But I think through with your assistance that you have offered, I think we, and because you are in the field."
NBC's Content Hub Head of Department, Glynis Beukes-Kappa, called for the revival of peer-to-peer and psychosocial support programming for children.
"Peer-to-peer and psychosocial support programmes should be brought back through dramas and children's programming, because these platforms can help children understand the issues and know where to seek support."