Child Protection Week
25 May 2007
The Department of Social Development will celebrate the launch of Child
Protection Week on 28 May 2007 in Clocolan Stadium, 13h00. The main objective
of Child Protection Week is to raise awareness on issues relating to the abuse
of children in South Africa.
As a build up to this event from 08h00 to 12h00 the South African Social
Security Agency will be conducting Child Registration, Registration for
Disability Grants, Child Support Grants, Care Dependency Grants whilst the
Department of Home Affairs will be assisting with birth certificates as well as
identity documents.
The National Protection Week has become an annual campaign of government to
educate and mobilise communities to put children first. The National campaign
is led by the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, whilst the MEC
for Social Development, the Honourable Zanele Dlungwana will be leading the
provincial campaign.
Child Protection Week is annually celebrated with other cluster departments
and provinces led by the Department of Social Development. It will be
celebrated from 28 May to 3 June 2007 to raise awareness and highlight the
rights of children and the realisation of these as a constitutional
imperative.
Other expected stakeholders are Provincial Youth Commission, South African
Police Services, Office of the Premier, Department of Health and Education,
Thabo-Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Setsoto Local Municipality,
non-governmental organisations, community-based organisation, and faith based
organisations.
In the Free State province Child Protection Week will be celebrated in all
the districts with different activities focusing on child related issues.
"Caring Communities Protect Children" is the theme for this year and a green
ribbon which is a symbol of life, hope, care and protection is used to endorse
and symbolise the theme. As a sign of commitment to Child Protection,
communities and all concerned with the plight of children are urged to wear a
green ribbon during Child Protection Week and be actively involved in reporting
all instances of child abuse.
Enquiries:
Mondli Mvambi
Manager-Communications
Tel: 051 400 0204/9
Cell: 083 265 2612
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Free State Provincial
Government
25 May 2007
