REMARKS BY PREMIER
Today we are in the fourth day of CHILD PROTECTION WEEK. Our theme this year is HEAR THE VOICES OF OUR CHILDREN
But the first of June is also international day for the commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse and neglect. It is therefore a great privilege to participate in today's events and I thank you for this honour. There is no better way to judge humanity and our progress over time than to look at the state of our children.
Allow me to quote from the "2000 & Beyond" report produced by the National Plan of Action. "Every year thousands of children die from malnutrition and disease in South Africa. Some studies estimate that hundreds of thousands of children between the ages of 10 and 14 are engaged in various forms of child labour. “The girl child suffers from shockingly high incidents of rape, child abuse, gender-based violence and femicide.
“In some areas, the girl child is withdrawn from school at an
early age in order to prepare for marriage, or to look after younger siblings.
“For those who do remain in school, the chances of sexual abuse or sexual
assault are high."
This situation calls for leadership and urgent action. The government remains
committed to the partnerships that provide this leadership
It is not possible to talk about sustainable community development or about poverty alleviation without involving children and addressing their needs. Our government has not wavered in its commitment to children. It established a unique political structure, the National Plan of Action for Children, to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We have the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. I am confident that a solid foundation has been created to promote the development of children and youth in our country.
A basis has been created for keeping our promises to children. There is, however, much work that still needs to be done to realise children's rights to survival, development, protection and participation.
The government has also embarked on a strategy that will
ensure that children who are affected by HIV/AIDS will have access to integrated
services that address their rights to food, shelter, education, health care,
family or alternative care, and protection against abuse and maltreatment.
Children are our future that is why they need all the protection, love and care
they can get. We can only build a secure future for ourselves and our country if
we build a better life for our children. We must, with every ounce of strength
in our body fight child abuse and neglect.
No protection for child abusers.
No mercy for those who hurt our children.
I thank you.