Honourable Deputy Speaker
And Members of the National Assembly
The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland proclaimed this day, June 1, to be International Children's Day in 1925. And 20 years ago the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. With the advent of democracy 16 years ago, South Africa became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Convention incorporates the full range of human rights for children and it creates an international legal framework for the protection and promotion of rights of all persons under the age of 18. As we celebrate the International Children’s Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on the changes it has brought in realising the rights of children.
The period 1994 to date brought significant changes to the political, economic and social landscape of our country.
While there has been a significant change in the lives of our people and children, many challenges must still be addressed. This includes:
● the abuse of children through abduction, rape and murder
● human trafficking for sexual and other forms of exploitation
● use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco which is all illegal for under 18 year old
● and use of children as subject of pornographic material and access for children to pornography.
We cannot rest Honourable Speaker while we still have children who are living in the streets. They are our children and we have to ensure that the problems that drove them away from their homes are addressed. While there are still challenges, we also have to acknowledge that a lot of progress has been made to advance the realisation of children’s rights in South Africa since 1994. Children are now free to express their views and perspectives about issues affecting their lives without fear of being gunned down like the young people of Soweto in 1976.
Our government has committed itself to respond to the issues that pertain to children and created the Ministry responsible for mainstreaming of children rights issues into all programmes of government. Progress has been made in promoting the rights of children in South Africa. Coupled with other free services like no-fee schools, housing, health and minimum amount of water and electricity, social grants are assisting many families in providing food and better livelihood for children.
Birth registration is being expanded as birth certificates are an important requirement for accessing all of these government services. There have also been a number of positive legislative developments relating to children. In April this year we witnessed the coming into effect of at least two critical pieces of legislation relating to children, the Child Justice Act and the Children’s Act.
The implementation of these two Acts of Parliament helps South Africa to take a major step forward in complying with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and our Constitution. As you know, the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities is established to ensure that children’s rights are integrated into all programmes of government. In line with this mandate, my Ministry will be introducing systems to enhance the implementation of the UNCRC including compliance with the reporting obligations to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
I need to emphasise that effective implementation of the national legislation, policies and programmes can only be assured through mobilisation and strong collaboration between Government, civil society and other sectors of society. Parents as primary duty-bearers of their children have a constitutional obligation to ensure the fulfillment of rights of children and to seek support where necessary. Parents have an obligation to take children for immunisation against childhood diseases and to enroll in programmes such as Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV to protect their children from infections. All of us need to inculcate and promote child friendly families and communities.
As we sensitise the children of their right, it is of paramount importance to also make them aware of their responsibilities. As they have a right to education, they have a responsibility to study and do their homework. As they have a right to be respected, children also have a responsibility to respect their parents, peers and other people
Honourable Deputy Speaker, I would like to use this opportunity to inform the house that, earlier today we celebrated the International Children’s Day with children representing almost every province of our country. These children dialogued on issues affecting them, and expressed their opinions within the context of the theme for this year which is: “All Rights All Children”
This event also recognised that we are celebrating the International Children’s Day just nine days before the historic FIFA World Cup. We therefore launched a Children’s Rights and Responsibilities Programme for FIFA World Cup and beyond. The main objective of this Programme is to empower children and communities on children’s rights and responsibilities. We are appealing 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.
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 to help children who may go missing with emergency referrals and placements.
The justice system has dedicated courts and the South African Police Service personnel are also trained to ensure that the best protection is provided to children. We cannot allow any child or woman to be exploited as a result of the hosting of the Soccer World Cup. Every one of us has rights and let us work together to ensure that the rights of all women, children and persons with disabilities are respected.
Let us all enjoy the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Thank you.
