Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiyasays parents have legal obligation to work together with government to ensure protectionof children as school holidays have been extended due to the hosting of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya was addressing the national event to mark International Children's Day (1 June) in Cape Town today. The event brought together children from various provinces to discuss progress and challenges in the realization of children's right.
At the event, Minister Mayende-Sibiya received hearing aids to the value of R5 million from Impact Hearing South Africa in partnership with Interton from Denmark. The hearing aids will be distributed in rural areas across the country. The donation increases from R1 million worth of hearing aids distributed last year.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya reminded the event that many children go missing and others become victims of crime when schools are closed.
"Parents have to know where their children are and make arrangements to have proper supervision during the extended school holidays," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said 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 soccer world cup.
"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.
"All provinces are on board and are conducting various activities to increase awareness and respond to cases of violation of children's rights," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
"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 hours services available," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said the plan to protect children also includes the deployment of 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.
"We need to empower children and communities on children's rights and responsibilities. We appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure proper supervision of children and take precautionary measures during the mid–year school 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.
"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
Source:Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
Parents must work with government to protect children during soccer world cup
