Protection for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Introduction

© UNICEF photo by A de Ras

Providing a safe and protective environment for children is a priority.

The protection of children is a right that is central to the survival and development of all South African children.  These rights include protection from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect as well as discrimination.  The effects of violations of any of these rights include poor physical and mental health, reduced life expectancy, poor access to education and essential social services, displacement, homelessness and most importantly a sense of hopelessness. Whilst there are no figures on the extent of child protection violations in South Africa, there is agreement that it has reached alarming proportions. 

UNICEF’s child protection priorities

South African children do experience a variety of abuses of their rights; however UNICEF, in collaboration and agreement with Government counterparts, focuses on:
• child abuse and neglect,
• violence against children,
• sexual exploitation of children and
• child trafficking.

The Government of South Africa over the past decade, has focused on developing child protection legislative frameworks and policies, however the challenge of implementation still remains. UNICEF supports local communities in eliminating all forms of abuse and violence against children in the family, school and in their communities. To achieve this, multi-sectoral partnerships have been formed with local municipalities that include government, non-governmental and faith-based organisations, parents, caregivers, traditional leaders and healers and young people.  Such partnerships have led to communities beginning to adopt a human rights approach to conducting local assessments of child protection abuses in their midst.  The mobilisation of communities has broken the culture of silence around child abuse and the ultimate aim is to develop child protection plans and networks in various municipalities which will serve as the eyes and ears of the community, looking after the well-being, safety and protection of children.

Eliminating Violence against children

In addition to supporting the creation of safe environments for children at the local level, UNICEF has embarked on plans to help improving child protection service delivery through training of child protection officials such as social workers and the establishment of child-friendly corners at police stations and other sites where children go for assistance and support.

Another important component of UNICEF’s work is the mobilisation of men as advocates for the elimination of violence against children and women. UNICEF is entering into partnerships with men’s organisations who are involved in a wide range of advocacy initiatives nationwide, and in practical programmes for the elimination of violence and abuse of children.  UNICEF is also embarking on advocating for more attention to prevention. 

Read some more:

The Children's Bill