Pnamundjebo

                                                             Olufuko

What is olufuko?

Olufuko rituals are a harmful ovawambu traditional practice whereby girls as young as 10 years old are prepared for adulthood and womanhood, including pregnancy and subservience to men last about 7 days , although pre-rituals preparations can take up to six (6) months and it is also publically announced to the communities that the girl has adopted the stature of a women full of dignity and grace and is eligible for marriage. , such culture practices have harmful effects on the ability of individuals to protect themselves especially from diseases such as HIV and Aids cause they lack sexual and reproductive health knowledge to protect themselves or to seek the sexual and reproductive health services they require.

Is it still being practiced?

No its not, it is strictly prohibited in terms of the letters and spirits of both the UN convention on the rights of the child, in terms of which a child under the age 18 that his/her human rights are to be respected, but recently in Outapi located in the northern parts of Namibia there was a festival that show cased the Olufuko initiation which was only exhibited and dramatized to show how it was done in the past and to show the people who have never experienced it in practice.

Should it still be practiced or not?

No it should not cause it is seen as violence and disrespect or crime against humanity to women as whole and can have a negative up bringing to the young girls cause as young as they are they’ll be forced into sexual intercourse with adults without their consent and it further exposes children to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS, and is humiliating because girls are required to strip naked and undergo so-called virginity tests through physical examinations of their private parts..