Protecting the future generation
During a playful session, Maome informed the children not to keep quiet about abuse.
An estimated one-fifth of children in South Africa are orphaned and at least 64.5 per cent of these children live in low-income households and are impacted by poverty.
According to the South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), some children experience food insecurity and struggle to access basic education and services such as sanitation and water.
South African children are also exposed to high levels of violence. In celebrating Human Rights Month, GCN interviewed Primrose SAPS spokesperson Sgt Styles Maome on children’s human rights.
On March 15 Primrose SAPS and volunteers from the Victim Empowerment Centre visited Little Sunshine Day Care at Delport informal settlement. Maome said they were visiting nursery schools to educate children about their rights.
“Children have the right to education and a proper upbringing.” Maome encouraged the children not to keep quiet about abuse and to report incidents to their caregivers, parents, teachers, family member or the police.
“The children learned they need to be respected and if anybody abuses them they have different caregivers to report to,” said school principal Minah Mathebula. Children’s rights is one of seven focus areas identified by the SAHRC as requiring a dedicated focus to effectively fulfil its mandate of promoting, protecting and monitoring the realisation of the rights of children in South Africa.
To report child abuse call the Child Line on 0800 0555 55.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
