International Day for Children
31 May 2006
The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Kgaogelo Lekgoro, will launch the
provincial Child Protection Week programme and celebrate the International Day
for Children. The event is held under the theme "A Caring Society Protects
Children".
On the day of the event, between 09h00 and 10h00 children will march and
present a memorandum of demands to Lekgoro. Planned activities have been taking
place since 29 May 2006 and will run throughout the province until 4 June 2006.
The programme focuses on some of the Department's core functions and
objectives.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 1 June 2006
Venue: Saul Tsotetsi Hall, Zone 14, Sebokeng
Time: 09h00 to 14h00
The latest police statistics regarding crimes committed against children
indicate that there is an incident of crime every six minutes intended to harm
a child. For an example research shows that 85 808 violent crimes were
perpetrated during April 2004 and March 2005 against minors and 22 486 children
were victims of rape.
Hence, the need to take proactive steps aimed at protecting our beloved
children.
Since the launch of The Bana Pele Programme (Putting Children First) on 1
June 2005 by the Premier, we have provided several services to our children the
breakdown of which is as follows:
* the number of children receiving child support grants is 883 669 (0 to 14)
and the number of foster care grants is at 35 972
* the total number of children receiving psychosocial counselling is 32 954.
Additionally, 310 881 children in quintile one primary schools were exempted
from school fees and 378 298 learners are benefiting from the school nutrition
programme
* a total of 38 231 pupils in grade one quintile have received school
uniform packages, and more than 17 989 children in grade one quintile one
schools were provided with free scholar transport
* currently, we have 98 community-based care programmes providing services
to 151 236 orphans and vulnerable children infected and affected by
HIV/Aids;
This year the Gauteng Department of Social Development will intensify
efforts aimed at protecting children and recognise the contribution of
volunteers providing services to children in its different regions. Some of the
objectives are:
* to ensure that all children are protected from any form of abuse, neglect,
abandonment, etc
* to create awareness about the plight of children especially those who are
vulnerable and in distress
* to create a safe environment in communities for children
* to empower children about their rights and responsibilities
* to reduce and prevent the sexual exploitation of children
* to identify and offer services to children affected and infected by
HIV/Aids
* to create awareness on the negative impact of domestic violence and
alcohol abuse to the child's positive development
* to assist children to reach their potential destiny.
For more information contact:
Dr Sello Mokoena
Tel: (011) 355 7947
Cell: 082 331 0786
Mantwa Makanyane
Tel: (011) 355 7939
Cell: 082 503 4018
Kate Jacob
Tel: (016) 930 2004
Cell: 082 469 0586
Jerry Khosana
Tel: (011) 355 7835
Cell: 083 671 4505
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Gauteng Provincial
Government
31 May 2006
