Germany supports OYO project

Germany supports OYO project STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

The German government this week announced they are funding more than N$1 million to a human rights organisation targeting Namibian youth.

The German ambassador to Namibia, Herbert Beck, and Dr Philippe Talavera, director of the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO), signed a funding agreement for OYO’s project ‘Girls in schools’ this week.

The German government committed approximately N$1,3 million to the project.

OYO was launched in March 2003 and aims to use arts – both visual and performing – to create awareness on social problems such as domestic violence, rape and the abuse of alcohol and other drugs amongst the Namibian youth.

OYO’s vision is to develop a society in which there is broad access to information and the arts. By developing their creative skills, young people empower themselves to make informed choices, and thus become more prosperous, increase their life expectancy and improve the quality of their lives.

'Girls in schools' is a project to encourage girls who enrol in schools in the Kavango East and West regions to fulfil their right to education and complete their school years by addressing obstacles such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

In the past few years, the issue of child marriage – the marriage of a person under the age of 18 – has raised great concerns. Poor educational attainment, poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, deprivation of childhood experiences and abandonment by husbands are some of the reported consequences of early marriage. Children who are married do not finish their education. “We will also put the issue of child marriage on the agenda. No girl in Namibia should be married against her will. While traditions and customs are extremely important, harmful cultural practices such as child marriage must be stopped,” said Talavera.