20 May 2009

Child Protection Week is being marked this year from 25 to 31 May, under the theme "Caring Communities Protect Children."

Government has made a number of achievements over the years towards protecting children, and has also sent out a call to all stakeholders to improve on these successes.

Government and civil society organisations are implementing various programmes to promote children’s rights and create a nurturing environment:

• Millions of children benefit from free primary healthcare, school feeding schemes, the no-fee school policy for children from poor households. Such interventions ensure that children grow up in environment where they can blossom to their full potential.
• 8 523 741 children receive child support grants, 474 012 receive foster care grant and the age extension from 14-15 years has reached 75 591 recipients.
• A total of 407 937 orphans and vulnerable children and 53 607 child headed households were identified and received services through the Home Community Based Care programme.
• 1 567 Child Care Forums were established and supported to assist with early identification of orphans and vulnerable children.
• There are comprehensive places of safety and community-based interventions country-wide to provide care and psychological support to survivors of abuse.

Government urges all to uphold the rights of children and report all cases that undermine children’s rights to relevant authorities:

• We need a multi-sector approach to adequately address child poverty and end child-directed abuse and violence.
• Child Protection Week provides an opportunity for all of us to build the partnership and to ensure that children are protected from abuse and vulnerability.
• Whilst we enjoy hosting the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 World Cup, let us ensure the safety of all children.
• We need to highlight the issue of child trafficking and subsequent child exploitation for purposes of prostitution, forced labour, and muti-related crimes. At the same time, we need to highlight government’s plan and achievements in dealing with such crimes.
  

KE NAKO, STOP CHILD ABUSE!!!

CRIME STOP: 08600 10 111

CHILDLINE: 0800 055 555 / www.childline.org.za

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 0800 60 10 11 / www.dsd.gov.za