Windhoek: The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare will roll out a nationwide feeding scheme reaching over 110,000 children across 3,866 early childhood development (ECD) centres, Minister Emma Kantema has announced. The initiative forms part of the relaunch of the Life Starts programme, which has now been institutionalised as a national framework to improve nutrition, early learning, and safety for young children.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the ministry is committed to ensuring that children not only survive but thrive. Nutrition, early stimulation, safety, and adequate learning opportunities during the first years of life are considered the building blocks of the nation's future. Minister Kantema made these remarks during a Cabinet Committee briefing at the Government Information Centre.

To prepare for the rollout, the ministry has trained trainers in food hygiene and child nutrition. These trainers will soon begin capacity-building across all 14 regions to equip volunteers and parents to deliver meals safely. Beyond nutrition, the ministry has also opened a new ECD training programme in the Khomas Region, with simultaneous sessions in six other regions. Supported by the European Union and UNICEF, the seven-week programme combines theory and practice to strengthen the skills of early childhood educators.

The minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to support vulnerable children, including providing psychosocial support to 700 children in after-school centres and launching Namibia's first clinical protocol on child maltreatment in partnership with the World Health Organisation. Kantema stressed that investing in children's early years is investing in Namibia's future and called on all partners to support efforts to build a stronger foundation for the next generation.