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The
draft Children's Bill, currently before Parliament, lacks a
comprehensive child rights charter, the National Assembly's social
development committee was told yesterday.
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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