Junior National Council to convene second session Thursday

WINDHOEK, 28 AUG – The Second Session of the Junior National Council (JNC) will convene at the National Council (NC) on Thursday.
It will be held under the theme ‘Enhancing Partnerships to Strengthen Good Governance in Namibia’.
Forty-two Grade 11 and 12 learners will sit to debate issues on the effects of cybercrime and human trafficking on the youth over two days.
Secretary to the NC, Emilia Mkusa said in a media statement issued Monday, the objectives of the JNC are to reach out to young Namibians and educate them on the mandate and values of Namibia’s parliamentary system.
This, she said, would help the youth acquire the necessary leadership skills to enable them to be positive and proactive members of society, and produce mentorship and guidance for the JNC from their role models in the NC.
The junior NC members will also deliberate on the involvement of the youth in the extractive industry for enhancing economic and social development and youth participation in budgeting processes at local and national level.
The 42 members are drawn from all 14 regions to represent Namibia’s 121 constituencies for two years, with a membership composition balanced between boys and girls.
Last year, the JNC during its first session passed several recommendations, including a motion seeking the removal of a clause in the Marriages Act (Act No. 25 of 1961) that allows children under the age of 18 to marry if the minister responsible approves.
Section 25(1) of the Act, while making it illegal for boys and girls under the age of 18 to marry, makes an exception, which gives the line minister the power to authorise a marriage involving an underage boy or girl if it is “desirable.”- NAMPA