During public hearings on the legislation, Paula Proudlock of the Children's Institute at the University of Cape Town said the realisation of children's rights should be the responsibility of all relevant government departments.
The Children's Bill could help ensure all departments fulfilled their obligations to children, she said.
The bill, as it now stood, only contained five of the fifteen rights that appeared in the original South African Law Reform Commission draft.
"If we are really serious about children's wellbeing, it is crucial that a comprehensive list of rights is included in this piece of legislation."
The implementation of such rights should be binding on all government departments, and not only on the social development department.
Departments would have to plan and budget for the promotion of these rights, and report to Parliament about their plans and implementation.
Departments' progress in realising these rights could be monitored by using sound indicators of child wellbeing.
South Africa had an above average infant mortality rate (IMR) with 60 babies out of every 1 000 live births dying before their first birthday.
Most deaths were caused by HIV, followed by gastroenteritis, respiratory infections and malnutrition.
In some areas of the Eastern Cape, the rate was as high as 100 per 1 000 live births.
"The IMR is a key child wellbeing indicator that is used by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the World Health Organisation and other international bodies (assessing) the extent to which South Africa protects the health and wellbeing of children."
The current IMR reflected a situation worthy of serious concern for South Africa.
"By including a child rights charter in the Children's Bill, we can strengthen and consolidate all our efforts to prioritise delivery to children," Proudlock said. – Sapa.
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