ONE in every three girls and one in every five boys will experience some form of violence in South Africa before the age of 18.
This is according to the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) as per information released at the end of Child Protection Week which ended last week.
“This year’s Child Protection Week is made even more significant since we are also celebrating the centenaries of Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. The struggle icons had great love for children and played a pivotal role in the promulgation of Children’s Rights in South Africa.
At the United Nations Special Session on Children held in New York, in 2002, Tata Mandela said that ‘no form of violence can ever be excused in a society that wishes to call itself decent, but violence against children must surely rank as the most abominable expression of violence’. ”
The GCIS indicated that, in order to uphold and honour Tata Mandela and Mama Sisulu’ s legacies and the Rights of Children, Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) partnered with various government departments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) to raise awareness across the Eastern Cape. GCIS and partners held awareness sessions at schools across the province.
The theme of this year’s Child Protection Week was ‘Stand up, be committed and protect a child’ with a call to all South Africans to stand up and protect our children, to be committed in the fight to end all forms of abuse against children.
To report any suspected child abuse, neglect or exploitation, please contact any of the following numbers:
- Childline South Africa’s toll-free line – 0800 055 555
- Christelik Maatskapile Raad (CMR in Komani) – 045 838 4141
- Masifunde Learner Development Centre (Nelson Mandela Bay) – 041 581 2543
- Khomanani White-door Centre of Hope (Graaff-Reinet) – 071 294 3932
- Impendulo Foundation (Mthatha) – 082 937 7487.
Issued by Government Communication and Information System