Issued by Department of Social Development
28 May 2001
The occasion to formally celebrate and reflect upon issues of child protection is once again here with us. From the 28th May – the 3rd June, the nation and indeed the world, will reflect on where we are in creating the necessary environment for the holistic development of the children and the youth of our country.
Our country enjoys democracy and is now part of the international community of nations that celebrates June 1st as International Day of the Child, thanks to the supreme sacrifices that were made by millions of our youth including children, in the struggle against Apartheid. Our country’s future still rests on the shoulders of the children and the youth.
As we celebrate the Child Protection Week, there is need to reflect on how far we have gone in realising the constitutional rights of the children as well as the implementation of the programmes aimed at ensuring that children do indeed enjoy their rights to care, education, health, food, water and a better environment.
There is a saying in African languages that ‘Umntwana Womnye Umntu Ngumntwana Wam. Umntwana Wam Ngumntwana Womnye Umntu.’
It means ‘my child is your child and your child is my child.’ This saying has from time immemorial characterised the communal commitment of the elderly persons and indeed families, to the well - being and upbringing of the child. It is in close keeping with this year’s national theme for child protection week that "Child Protection is Everybody’s Business." Every elderly person had the responsibility to protect any child and ensure that all children were treated with care, compassion, and taught discipline and high standards of morality.
As the country continues to strengthen its seven - year old democracy through building a better life for all and a caring society, the question arises: are these time - tested values of African families about children still relevant?
The democratic government led by the ANC, has made significant strides in ensuring that the rights of children are enshrined in the constitution.
Numerous pieces of legislation like the Child Maintenance Act, have been put in place to ensure that these rights are realised. The country has developed a National Plan of Action on Children. The country has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights of Children, and other international instruments that promote and protect the rights of children – especially the girl child. Furthermore, the government has made sure that all forms legislation and regulations of discrimination against children are removed in schools, clinics, social amenities etc.
Millions of children from the poorest families increasingly have access to free primary health care, water, food, shelter, education etc. In less than one year, the number of children who benefit from the Child Support Grant has increased from 60 000 to over one million.
One of the key priorities of the Department of Social Development in this year is the implementation of revamped and comprehensive Child Care legislation. Also all laws and regulations within the social welfare sector, many of which still have discriminatory aspects, are being reviewed. Be they in relation to foster care, disability, or other welfare needs.
To date great strides have been made, yet many challenges still lie ahead. Poverty and diseases including HIV/AIDS continue to have a devastating impact on millions of children, especially in the rural areas.
It is estimated that over 250 000 children have been orphaned by AIDS. In most cases these children live with elderly relatives who have to look after them with their meagre pensions. The current high rate of unemployment further aggravates the plight of poor children.
In this regard the Department of Social Development is working hard to ensure that the services to the poor are made more accessible and the quality of service delivery is improved and accelerated especially for children.
During my visit to poor communities in the entire country last year, it became very clear that the key to solving the social ills confronting the country, lay in partnerships.
Thanks to the co- operation of faith based organisations, traditional leaders, community based organisations, the media, and all men and women who have taken upon themselves the task of assisting the poor and working closely with the Department; the nation can now breath a sigh of relief. More than 90 per cent of the money that was allocated for poverty relief projects since 1997 has been disbursed. The under - expenditure that bedevilled the Department since 1997, is now history.
As we mark Child Protection Week we need to work even more closer together. The challenges that still lie ahead are many. Child Abuse is still with us, poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS continue to devastate families especially children.
In this international Year of Voluntarism, we call upon all South Africans to join the Department of Social Development and indeed government at large, in the various programmes initiated to mark the Child Protection Week countrywide. Locally, provincially and nationally, we call upon the labour movement, the private sector, faith-based organisations, community based organisations, non-governmental organisations, the civic movement and all political formations across the spectrum, to join us.
Let us all protect the children from all forms of abuse!
Let us all promote their rights to care and compassion in every household and locality.
Let us eradicate all forms of discrimination against children.
Let us all promote the rights of children to education, health, food, shelter and a better environment.
Let us all ensure that every parent supports his/her child properly.
The Children are Our Future! Child Protection is Everybody’s Business!