The newly appointed Children's Advocate, Heather Harker, promised to raise awareness about issues facing children.

These include sexual abuse, early child marriage, and child labour.

Child marriage and sexual assault are prevalent in Namibia, and children's advocate Heather Harker says it is time that perpetrators are brought to book and punished.

Harker says since some of these acts are driven by cultural practices, it is important to increase awareness of children's rights in communities in order to bring an end to these practices.

She also noted that the Child Care and Protection Act will be a tool to implement policies and identify children who are at risk of any form of child abuse.

"There needs to be a total reform and awareness created for all of them to know that what they are doing is wrong and also create a platform for children who are subjected to these practices to come forth and say this is what is happening. I can now concentrate on raising awareness and closing the gap between the child and this office."

Advocate Harker's responsibilities will be to investigate complaints regarding the abuse of children's rights as well as make reports to various institutions to ensure that violations are stopped, among others.

Harker called for collaboration with NGOs, the media, and society to address issues affecting children every day.