RESUMEN
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and harsh lockdown regulations have impacted the wellbeing of the youth globally. The pandemic has also caused significant mortality and morbidity, creating daunting health and socio-economic challenges. The restrictive measures that have been put in place by many countries to contain the spread of the virus negatively affected the livelihood of youth. Namibia was equally impacted by the pandemic. The country introduced preventative measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, ranging from closure of social spaces, schools, recreational facilities, businesses, among others. These had unintended consequences on the livelihood of youth and their families. The main objective of the chapter is to better understand the impact of young people's chronic exposure to joblessness, violence, education disruptions on their wellbeing. Specifically, the chapter examines the extent to which protective measures influenced changes in violence, access to sexual and reproductive health as well as land and housing. The study utilized a desk review, relying on secondary data and policy documents. The findings indicated that retaining contact with friends and pursuing leisure activities are key to the wellbeing of young people. In addition, financial worries emanating from job losses and low economic acitivities also exacerbated young people's livelihood. Furthermore, having the youth and adults at home all day long, resulting from closing of schools and workplaces, increased family conflicts and violence. Consequently, victims of domestic violence were unable to access places of safety and other psychosocial support services. The study further indicated that the implementation of e-learning was threatened by the lack of ICT infrastructure and the capacity of teachers and learners to access and use e-learning platforms. Moreover, the youth indicated that they felt isolated and lacked motivation which is usually derived from interaction with their peers. The chapter therefore, recommends the creation of targeted youth interventions including employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, poverty reduction programs, as well as investment in ICT infrastructure and training. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)