A call to work together in protecting children

Decreasing the high levels of violence against children in South Africa remains the biggest challenge.

This week marks National Child Protection Week which aim is to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005.

The theme for this year’s campaign is Working Together to Protect Children.

Since 1988 social development has been dedicated to ensuring child protection awareness annually.

Sello Mokoena, social development spokesperson, said the aim of national child protection week is to create awareness about the services provided for children. He also added that the campaign is aimed at ensuring safety, well-being, care and protection of children through an integrated multi-disciplinary approach.

“Children are vulnerable, it is vitally important that we protect them from harm, nurture their growth and encourage their development,” said Mokoena.

Mokoena also added that communities need to come together to raise awareness and protect children from abuse. “We have to come together as communities and campaign children’s rights; we need to understand what is needed to protect our children.”

Mokoena also added that children also need to know and understand their own rights.

In South Africa, protecting children against violence is an obligation set out in Section 28 of the South African Constitution.

However, despite the country’s initiative in child protection laws, violence against children still remains a major problem.

South Africans are urged to wear a green ribbon during Child Protection Week to promote rights, care and protection of children. The green ribbon was adopted by the National Child Protection Committee in 2004.