Save the Children South Africa supports Government’s call to work together to protect children by investing in them

On Sunday the 27^th of May, President Jacob Zuma launched Child Protection Week in Galeshewe Kimberley and called on Government, Civil Society and Business to work together to protect children. Twelve million children out of a child population of 18 million are living in poverty in South Africa. This together with the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS, alarming incidences of violence against children and enduring levels of inequity make too many South African children vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. “This is unacceptable” says Neven Hendricks, Chairperson of the Board of Save the Children South Africa. “Every child in South Africa has the right to develop to their full potential and must be protected against all forms of abuse, hunger and illness. Save the Children welcomes the call to work together with Government and other partners to protect children. I also urge us all not only to commit to the protection of our children but also to invest them. They are after all our greatest resource.” Social protection for children can be achieved by making sure all vulnerable children receive social security and can access social services to make sure children are free from hunger and violence. Investing in children takes this further by linking social security to adequate nutrition and healthcare and helping children to access a quality education.

The Child Support Grant is the most comprehensive poverty alleviation programme that has been embarked on in recent years by the State in South Africa. Research has demonstrated the positive link between grant access and the well being of the child as measured by improved nutrition, school attendance and access to health. Save the Children congratulates the Government of South Africa for reaching 10.3 million vulnerable children with the Child Support Grant. However two million or 17% of eligible children are not reached this is largely due to a lack of documentation such as birth certificates for children and identity documents for caregivers The Child Support Grant is the foundation to social security but must be part of a comprehensive package that will be able to protect poor children and their families together with social service interventions, particularly focusing on the restoration of the family and access to quality health and education. Additionally, the issue of violence against children must be addressed. Violence against children in schools and communities poses a real threat to their development and denies children the protection they deserve and the opportunity to fulfil their potential. This is unacceptable.

During this Child Protection week Save the Children in South Africa takes this opportunity to reassure the Government of its commitment to support them in their continuing efforts to fulfill the rights of all children in this country.

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For more information please contact:

Karen Allan, Advocacy and Communications Advisor, Save the Children UK

Call: +27 (0)12 430 7775

Email: kallan@savethechildren.org.za