Minister Immanuel sparks debate over who names children
Namibian Justice Minister Wise Immanuel has sparked a public debate by questioning the cultural shift of mothers naming their children instead of fathers. He suggested this practice contributes to 'cultural imperialism' and may lead to fathers distancing themselves from their families.
Why it matters
The comments highlight ongoing tensions between traditional patriarchal customs and modern gender equality movements in Namibia.
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel has questioned the practice of mothers naming their children, asking what culture allows a mother to name a child instead of the father.
Immanuel raised the issue yesterday during a cultural event at the University of Namibia’s Ogongo campus in the Omusati region.
“We talk about this concept of gender equality and all those types of things. The babies’ fathers are no longer the ones giving them names. The mothers are the ones giving them names,” Immanuel said.
He questioned how such changes affect the relationship between fathers and their children, particularly when sometimes fathers feel excluded from decisions regarding their children.
“We are sending our own children into marriages to fight for naming children. Where is that culture coming from?” he asked.
Immanuel said society often questions fathers who distance themselves from their children without considering what may have contributed to that.
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