The National Council and UNICEF signed an agreement to advance and protect children's rights.

The Memorandum of Understanding reflects the importance of upholding the rights of children as outlined in the Constitution, collectively.

The agreement places strong emphasis on the role children play in shaping Namibia's future, and it is a key step toward institutionalising child rights-based governance in the country.

The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, described the MoU as noble.

He highlighted the Council's duty to ensure that children's voices are heard, their rights respected, and their welfare safeguarded in all legislative and policy-making processes.

Through the MoU, they will collaborate on several strategic priorities aimed at improving child welfare and participation in governance. 

These include strengthening platforms for child participation, particularly through the Junior National Council and the establishment of Junior Regional Councils, and developing and disseminating child-friendly materials to improve children's understanding of parliamentary processes and their rights.

"Enhancing the capacity of the parliamentarians and the National Council Secretariats to integrate children's rights, child-sensitive budgeting, and evidence-based policy-making into our legislative and oversight function, promoting outreach and community engagement so that the voices of children and communities inform parliamentary debates."

UNICEF Representative Samuel Ocran pointed out that UNICEF is guided by the principles of the United Nations and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which affirms that every child has the right to survive, develop, be protected, and participate.

He stressed that these rights must be translated into reality through strong institutions, responsive governance, and inclusive policies.

"Through this partnership, we recognise the council's unique and powerful position to champion child rights at the highest levels of decision-making. This MOU provides a clear framework for collaboration for the years to come. Ladies and gentlemen, by strengthening institutional mechanisms and fostering inclusive engagement, we are helping to ensure that policies are more responsive, more equitable, and more effective."

The MoU is expected to sharpen the National Council's focus on child rights and elevate its legislative and oversight role in this area.