Government has put in place plans to prevent and deal with cases of abuse of children that may arise as result of South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, says Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya was delivering the first budget vote speech for her department at the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town today.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya said the plans of government include raising community awareness about the risks and establishing care centres and other support services for children in host cities and public viewing areas.
She said all provinces have put in place plans to increase awareness and respond to cases of violation of children’s rights during the world cup.
"Social work professionals will be deployed at public viewing areas and in all host cities. Interventions include establishing joint national and provincial command centres and ensuring that child and youth care centres are able to receive emergency referrals and placements and have 24 hour services available," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said the plan to protect children also includes the deployment of foreign language interpreters and stand�"by professionals who will provide counselling services to victims, should the need arise. She said justice system has dedicated courts and the South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel are also trained to ensure that the best protection is provided to children.
"In observing the International Children's Day, the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will on 1 June launch the Children's Rights and Responsibilities Development programme for 2010 FIFA World Cup and beyond.
"The main objective of this campaign is to empower children and communities on children's rights and responsibilities. The campaign will appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure proper supervision of children and take precautionary measures during the extended closure of schools for the mid�"term holidays," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said families and communities should speak out on child abuse and neglect, and report such cases to the authorities promptly.
"Each one of us is bound by the Children's Act to report cases of violation of children's rights without delay," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that safety and well being of children is also the main focus of the Child Protection Week that will be launched by President Jacob Zuma on Friday, 21 May.
"As part of the activities for this focus week, the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will be holding community walks to highlight children’s rights and other activities to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and other social problems that might affect children during the World Cup," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will also be working with municipalities to ensure that; hotspot areas for rape and other violations of rights of children and women are cleared.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya said together with the City of Tshwane, the ministry is making efforts to establish a park and erecting a memorial at the deserted spot where a mutilated body of young girl (Masego Kgomo) was found in Soshanguve after she had been missing for days in January.
"We cannot allow anymore women and children to lose their lives through these barbaric incidents. The right to life is the most basic right we should afford to women, children and persons with disabilities," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
18 May 2010
