June 1st is celebrated as International Children’s Day in numerous countries worldwide, following the hosting of the first World Conference for the Well-being of Children held on June 1, 1925 in Geneva.
Similarly, the AU declared June 16 as the Day of the African Child. The key objective of the Day of the African Child is to raise awareness about the rights, capabilities and potential of children and to draw attention to the situation of children who are particularly vulnerable to marginalisation and/or violence.
The African Union has directed that the 2012 Day of the African Child be commemorated in the context of children with disabilities. The theme of the 2012 Day of the African Child is “The rights of children with disabilities: The duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfill”.
As such, South Africa resolved that since national Child Protection Week incorporates both International Children’s Day as well as the first days of National Youth Month, that 1 June this year be dedicated to raise awareness on the rights of children and young people with disabilities, in particular as it relates to their vulnerabilities in residential care facilities.
In her Budget Vote Speeches to the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) respectively during May 2012, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu reflected on the vulnerable situation of children and young people with disabilities, when she remarked in her opening statements: “The recent exposure of incidences of child-on-child violence and the rape of young children with disabilities, speak to the mental state of our nation, although it is not a new phenomena. The protection of children and women with disabilities from exploitation and sexual abuse is a constitutional obligation placed on every South African.
These incidences have once again brought to the attention of ordinary South Africans the realities disabled people and their families live with on a daily basis. Their abuse often goes un-reported, but even if they do speak out, they are unlikely to be believed. “
The incidence of abuse of learners with disabilities in special schools remains unacceptably high. A 2002 audit of all special schools in all nine provinces by the Department of Education revealed a total of 766 incidents of physical abuse and 813 incidents of sexual abuse were reported over a period of 3 years, with 92 learners with disabilities diagnosed as HIV+ and/or having Aids and 703 pregnancies were reported over the 3 year period. A staggering 233 cases of suicide was reported.
The Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities is currently conducting a follow up survey to determine to what extent the recommendations of the 2002 Audit have been implemented, and whether the situation has improved. The report will be released in July 2012.
A number of incidents of sexual abuse were exposed at Filadelfia Secondary School in Soshanguve, Gauteng province in 2010. The school accommodates learners with a range of disabilities who require high levels of support and reasonable accommodation in order to access the curriculum, and all learners are resident in the school’s boarding facilities.
Four teachers, three security guards and a cook were accused of raping disabled learners on the school and hostel premises. This led to a number of suspensions at what was then dubbed “the school of shame”.
The Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will on 1 June revisit the school to ascertain what progress has been made in addressing the allegations of sexual abuse, as well as creating a safe and conducive learning environment for learners on the both the school and hostel premises.
The multi-intersectoral stakeholder delegation from all three spheres of government as well as representatives of civil society, led by Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will, among others, respectively engage with students, teachers and support staff to determine the status quo, and also to explore what further interventions, if any, are required.
The Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution of 1996 guarantees all South African citizens to enjoy:
- The right to equality before the law and the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
- The right to inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.
- The right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way.
The Bill of Rights furthermore extend specific rights to children, and in particular:
- The right to family care or parental care, or to appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment.
- The right to basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services.
- The right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation.
Members of the media are invited to a media briefing at 14h30.
Details of the event are as follow:
Date: 1 June 2012
Venue: Filadelfia Secondary School, Soshanguve, Tshwane
Time: 14h30
For interview requests, please contact:
Tel: 012 310 5131
Cell: 082 903 9250
E-mail: ThaboS@dwcpd.gov.za
You are requested to confirm your / or colleague’s attendance with:
Sello Molekwa
Cell: 071 613 6242
E-mail: sello@dwcpd.gov.za
