South African Day: Child Protection Week

"my child is your child;
your child is my child"

Celebration of Child Protection Week

"Through Child Protection Week, which was instituted in 1997, the Department of Social Development and government as a whole seek to mobilise families, stakeholders and communities to work together to address the complex socio-economic needs of children.

“Since 1994, Government has introduced a host of programmes to protect children from vulnerability. A total of 7 233 989 children have been registered for the Child Support Grant while more than 330 000 receive the Foster Care Grant. New laws, including the Children’s Bill and Sexual Offences Bill, mark significant progress in arming our society to end the abuse of children and to promote their rights and development.”

He added: “It takes a village to raise a child, and the achievements we have scored so far result from the co-operation of all sectors and communities. However, despite all our achievements, a lot still need to be done by all to promote children’s rights – the non-governmental and community based organisations, labour, faith-based sector, the private sector, traditional leaders, the media and many other interest groups”.

The CPW theme is “Caring Communities Protect Children”, with the green ribbon as the symbol of child protection. The concept of “my child is your child; your child is my child” remains the cornerstone of child protection in the country.

The observance of Child Protection Week is linked to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN Convention), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child." from SA Government Information