Parents are being urged to be more present in the lives of boys, as the absence of fathers can leave mothers carrying the responsibility of raising them alone.

Speaking at the fourth and final "Plight of the Boy Child" seminar in Outjo, Special Advisor to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Social Development and Community Interface, Bernadette Jagger, stressed the importance of fathers in guiding boys.

"If a father is absent, then it means there is very, let me not say very poor, but no guidance except from the little that the mother is giving for a boy child."

Jagger also urged parents to create safe spaces where boys can speak openly about their emotions and struggles.

"We understand that you also have your emotions; these days you are also in pain since that happened to you and make you very, very sad, but then you would say that I can't talk about my feelings."

She called on parents to listen, encourage and support their children, stressing that boys should not be left to carry their struggles alone.