Impilo Child Protection and Adoption Services planted a special tree on 28 May to commemorate Child Protection Week this year.
The centre based in Fairvale held a #BabiesMatter remembrance gathering to acknowledge and remember the countless babies that have been abandoned and forgotten. The officials stood in silence to grieve the abandoned and forgotten babies.
Child Protection Week is held every year from 27 May to 2 June and various activities during this time aim to address the plight of the children across the world.
Read: Child Protection Week: It’s much easier to abduct a child than you think
According to Impilo, child abandonment continues to be a major challenge in South Africa with an estimated 3 500 children abandoned annually, approximately 300 children per month.
Impilo’s director Sue Krawitz gave the keynote address at the gathering and said that it is important to step back and remember the children who are no longer with us. She said they chose to plant a lemon tree as the fruit tree symbolises the continuing of life while the sourness of the lemon expresses the sadness with which they will remember all the abandoned and forgotten children.
“We intend to use this tree as a place of reflection. Hopefully, we will hold ceremonies that would draw attention to the problem of the continued increase in incidents of child abandonment, child abuse, child neglect and child murder,” said Krawitz.
She added that this tree is symbolic of a remembrance and respect for life.
Read: Child Protection Week: Protect your child from child predators
Krawitz said that this year’s message to commemorate Child Protection Week is ‘every child matters’. “Every life is important and we all need to increase awareness of the epidemic of abandoned babies in South Africa.
“We are looking at the question: Do babies actually matter in South Africa?”
Krawitz said they will continue to campaign government to lower the minimum age someone must be to give their consent to put their child up for adoption. Currently, the minimum age is 18.
She suggested there should be a facilitation of safe abandonment through implementing safe haven laws.
Read: Golden chance passes Pholosho soccer team
She continued to say that there is also a need to revise xenophobic policies regarding foreigners and barriers to adoption as well as a need for policing of illegal abortion practitioners in the country.
Impilo also ran outreach programme during Child Protection Week in Sedibeng to address the issue of child abandonment.
Details: Sue Krawitz 011 640 1343.
