Niël Terblanché
Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia in a concerted effort to enhance the safety of children online.
The new partnership, signed in Windhoek on Wednesday, aims to intensify public education on cybersecurity, with a particular focus on equipping children with the knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.
Dr. Audrin Mathe, the executive director of MICT, stressed the importance of this collaboration, stating that the partnership will strengthen the National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Raising Plan 2022–2027, which was adopted by the Cabinet.
“Cybersecurity requires concerted efforts from all sectors, and we call on others to join the government in building a cyber-resilient nation,” he said.
He pointed out that Lifeline/Childline Namibia will play a vital role in complementing the government’s ongoing efforts to educate children, out-of-school adults, youth, parents, and teachers on the dangers of cybercrime.
Nicolette Bessinger, the director of Lifeline/Childline Namibia, echoed these sentiments while expressing gratitude for collaborating with the MICT.
She emphasized the need for more work, particularly in raising awareness about online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), despite the advancements made in Namibia’s child protection system.
Bessinger said that while the online reporting portal, hosted on the Lifeline/Childline website in partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation, exists to combat online sexual exploitation of children, its usage has been limited.
“A lot more needs to be done on community awareness of the portal to report online sexual exploitation,” she said, while also stressing the importance of continued efforts to protect children in the digital space.
The newly signed MoU builds on past initiatives, such as the National Reporting Portal launched by the Namibian government in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.
Mathe said that the platform allows the public to anonymously report online images and videos of child sexual abuse, aiming to curb the spread of harmful content and protect vulnerable children.
He added that with a renewed focus on cybersecurity awareness, both MICT and LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia are committed to creating a safer online environment for Namibian children, ensuring that they, along with their parents and educators, are well-informed about the risks and equipped to handle them effectively.
Mathe said that the collaboration sets a precedent for further partnerships and highlights the collective responsibility of society to safeguard the future of younger generations.
