Children should be protected at all costs
With millions of South Africans infected with HIV/AIDS, the levels of orphan-hood are high.
MBOMBELA – “South African families face the challenge of protecting and caring for their children,” says Dr Avron Urison, Medical Director at AllLife providers of life insurance to people living with HIV, in an effort to commemorate the National Child Protection Week, which begins today,May 27 until Monday, June 02 2014.
“Add to this the high levels of poverty, high levels of growth stunting due to malnutrition, as well as high levels of violent crime, especially sexual crime perpetrated against children. This is why it is becoming increasingly difficult to respond adequately to problems and setbacks that happen to children,” he continues.
Urison adds that with millions of South Africans infected with HIV/AIDS, the levels of orphan-hood are high, and this calls for a more comprehensive and systematic response which will ensure that vulnerable children are identified, their needs correctly assessed and that they receive cross-sectoral support.
“HIV/AIDS has compromised the fabric of family, in South Africa, and it has particularly impacted on the lives and well-being of children,” he said. “The manner in which HIV/AIDS impacts South African children is vast, in terms of the number of orphans and infected children.”
“With regards to reducing child abuse and neglect, creating safer communities for children is imperative, and there is a need to improve existing services and using current resources more effectively; including those of public, private and informal support systems.”
Echoing the words of South Africa’s late former president, Nelson Mandela, Urison said that there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. He said that ending the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children in South Africa is everyone’s responsibility.
“HIV/AIDS is one of the most pressing developmental challenges of our time, as it still affects a large number of people in South Africa,” he added. “Therefore, AllLife will continue with its efforts to ensure the provision of support to individuals, families and communities affected by the epidemic. “
National Child Protection Week is observed in South Africa annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005. The campaign that began in 1997 also aims to mobilise all sectors of society to ensure the care and protection of children.
