Youngsters open up about challenges they face
This week is Child Protection week and the departments of health and social development have called on all members of the community to come together in the fight against violation of children's rights.
MBOMBELA – This week is Child Protection week and the departments of health and social development have called on all members of the community to come together in the fight against violation of children’s rights.
National Child Protection Week (CPW) is commemorated in South Africa annually to raise awareness on the rights of children as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005.
This campaign that began in 1997 also aims to mobilise all sectors of society to ensure the care and protection of children. The campaign is led by the minister of social development; however it is incumbent on everyone to play a role in protecting children and creating a safe and secure environment for them.
“We are pleading with every responsible person to join in and fight child neglect,abuse and exploitation. Parents need to provide for children and ensure they have a shelter, food,clothing and schooling,” said the department’s spokesperson, Mr Ronnie Masilela.
He added that more emphasis on education will be introduced at the early childhood development level.
Mpumalanga News spoke to a number of children who said they were concerned about several challenges facing children and wished government could do more in addressing them.
“I think child protection should go beyond this week. It should be the government’s main priority because we are the future and we need to be taken care of so that the country will not face problems in years to come when we are adults,”said Ntombi Sithole.
Justin Ashendorf, Siyabonga Sithole and Nkululeko Mamphaga, felt that if goverment could address the issue of drug abuse it would be a safer country for children to live in.
“Drugs are the main reason why there is crime in the country and the government should play its cards well in addressing this problem which affects many young learners,” they echoed each other.
“I think there should be more campaigns at schools to teach learners about the dangers of drugs in society,” added Ashendorff.
Angelique de Bruyn said she was worried about teenage pregnancy that affected a number of school girls.
“The government is educating us and they can only do so much but the children have a role to play and protect themselves so that they can have a better future,” she concluded.
