Windhoek: The Namibia Child Care and Protection Statistics Report has revealed that child protection services rebounded strongly in 2023, reaching their highest level in a decade following a recovery from the effects of COVID-19 and a shortage of social workers. The report covers 2014 to 2023 and was launched by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) this week.According to Namibia Press Agency, the report indicates that 21,745 children received child protection services in 2023, an increase from the 18,583 in 2022 and surpassing previous highs recorded over the past 10 years. 'The number of children accessing services had sharply fallen from 16,275 in 2019 to 8,937 in 2021, before recovering in the two years that followed,' stated the report.The report noted that psychosocial support remained the largest programme, assisting 12,645 children in 2023, compared to 9,998 in 2022. Over this period, 80,875 children benefited from psychosocial support services. A notable increase in violence a gainst children cases handled by social workers was also reported, rising from 1,027 in 2021 to 2,711 in 2023. A total of 19,631 cases were recorded between 2014 and 2023, with girls accounting for 12,522 cases and boys for 7,109 cases.The Khomas Region recorded the highest number of child protection cases over the review period, with 42,658 children being assisted, while Kavango West reported the lowest number of cases at 2,599. The report further noted that child justice services reached 14,779 children over the decade, with boys accounting for more than 90% of the cases. Children's status services, which include custody, access, and guardianship matters, assisted 32,187 children.MGECW attributed the decline in service delivery between 2019 and 2021 partly to a shortage of social workers and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.