Child Protection Month

Child protection in South Africa is everyone’s business. As citizens of our country, we all have the responsibility to protect all children from harm. The month of May has been set aside particularly for child protection awareness. NYDO, therefore, urges everyone to take a stance in protecting all children from any possible harm; be it violence, abuse, and exploitation. Protecting the children goes beyond just the month of May because child protection is not only a value but a responsibility that is embedded in our country’s constitution and statutes.

 
Research shows that many children in our country are still subjected to violence and abuse; the following facts were reported (reference UNICEF 2018):

• 1 in 3 children experience violence prior to age 18, including physical and sexual violence;
• 50% of children affected by violence experience it more than once;
• South Africa’s homicide rates are double the global average
• Teenage boys (15-17 years) are more likely to be killed outside their homes in conflict with their peers or as a consequence of gang violence.
• Most violence happens in places where children should be most safe – their homes, schools, and local communities, and mainly perpetrated by people closest to them,

The question is:

Which side are you on, child protection or child exploitation? It is in your hands…
Let us all use this time and opportunity to bring all issues of child abuse and neglect to the spotlight and all reflect on the role we each can play in protecting the rights of young children.