Child Protection Week: Society can help stop abduction of young girls
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has expressed concern about spike of incidents of violence against women and children in the province recently.
The department said it was particularly saddened that this happens as the country gears itself for a period dedicated to the protection of children.
South Africa marks the National Child Protection Week, from May 28 to June 4, which seeks to raise awareness for the rights of children.
Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza commended police for a sterling work in the rescue of five girls aged between 14 and 19 years who were used as sex slaves in Springs.
Mayathula-Khoza said it was cruel that young girls are being abducted by violent perpetrators who want to feed their sex addiction or use them as sex slaves.
She called upon Gauteng residents to embrace this period and help in mobilising all sectors of the society to care for and protect children.
“Perhaps we must take this opportunity to call upon all residents of Gauteng to take action in protecting children and creating a safe and secure environment for them,” said Mayathula-Khoza.
The Child Protection Week started on Sunday with government and civil society planning to spend the next seven days paying attention to some of the difficult issues faced by South Africa’s young people.
This provides everyone to play a role.
The Gauteng government will be focusing on drug rehabilitation for youths in the province battling with addiction to the point of being a danger to themselves.
The MEC will also spend the week educating families and children about children’s rights.
This would be done through a series of workshops and community meetings on topics such as early childhood development, undocumented children, child trafficking, teenage pregnancy and the law as it related to children.
