Prostitution in Namibia is illegal but a highly prevalent common practice.
A number of prominent groups have called for the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution. In 2005, the Legal Assistance Centre, a Windhoek-based non-profit human rights organization, called for the decriminalization of prostitution as a means of cutting the country's high HIV-AIDS rate as well as a means for maintaining the human rights of the prostitute themselves.[1]
In 2010, Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Kazenambo Kazenambo called for legalization to “generate jobs and income”.[2]
Many groups in Namibia actively oppose legalization and instead focus on providing skills to former sex workers. Some groups approach the issue from a religious perspective, arguing that Namibia's population is overwhelmingly Christian and therefore should not accept what they consider an immoral profession.[2]
Following Minister Kazenambo's call for legalization, former President and Founding Father Sam Nujoma called the call "an insult to our mothers”.[3]
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