The role of the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture in reducing youth unemployment in Namibia with special focus on the urban Khomas region
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Date
2007
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Abstract
Finding decent work for young people to staunch the youth employment crisis is one of most significant challenges of our time. This research paper reports on the role of the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture in combating youth unemployment in Namibia focusing on urban Khomas region. In the introduction section a comparative approach displays the global and sub-Saharan Africa features of youth unemployment as compared to the Namibian situation. This reflects that the problem of youth unemployment cuts across countries the world over. The paper further discussed various government initiatives and programmes introduced to promote youth employment in the country. The commitment of the Namibian government to provide equal opportunities to the youth and to mainstream them into the economic life in order to realize their potential is here confirmed
Lack of education and early school drop-out, lack of experience and lack of technical skills have been identified as significant factors that contribute to the high rate of youth unemployment in Namibia and in Khomas region in particular. Data collected reflected also the influence of sex, gender and culture in the employment circle of the Namibian youth. The paper identified critical consequences of unemployment on the youth and these include among others, financial constraints, increased crime, suicides, theft, domestic violence, economic and social instability and frustration, to mention but a few. The paper concludes that the Ministry of Youth has shown its commitment and political will to redress youth unemployment through its programmes and activities throughout the country and in Khomas region. However, concerted efforts are needed to keep a strong link between educational institutions and the employers to provide workers who are equipped with market-related skills and knowledge on one hand, and the market information on the other.
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Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Public Policy and Administration
Keywords
Unemployed youth, Youth, Employment,