As the nation commences National Child Protection Week (1 to 8 June), Hillbrow Police Station Social Crime Prevention Women’s Network will embark on a prayer drive to stop child abuse, and advocate for the release of 276 Nigerian girls held hostage in the African country by Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
The event’s organiser, Captain Nthabiseng Magowa said the event, which will be held on 4 June, will start from the police station. Magowa said they expected community members, church leaders and school pupils to join them as they will march and pray to stop child abuse and child labour. She said they will march from the station to Spar High Point in Hillbrow. Magowa said the theme was ‘Bring back our girls, stop child abuse, every child is my child.’
She said, “The day will be filled with arts performances by the local artists and our guest speaker is Rosie Motene, an actress and television presenter.” Motene is also a women’s and children’s rights activist, a motivational speaker and a board member of People Opposing Women Abuse and Childline, among others.
National Child Protection Week is held in South Africa annually to raise awareness about the rights of children, as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005. The campaign began in 1997 and 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, Bathabile Dlamini. However, Magowa said, “It is incumbent on all of us to play a role in protecting children and creating a safe and secure environment for them.”
She said children in South Africa live in a society with a constitution that has the highest regard for their rights and for the equality and dignity of everyone. Magowa said protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse is not only a basic value, but also an obligation clearly set out in Article 28 of the constitution.
The Department of Social Development has a pilot 24-hour call centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence. Details: 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling.
Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free).
Childline South Africa 0800 055 555; Child Welfare South Africa 0861 4 CHILD (24453), 011 452-4110, info@childwelfaresa.org.za
