Govt, Partners to Help Fight Child Poverty

from All Africa

BuaNews (Tshwane)

By Nozipho Dlamini
Tshwane

Government and its partners have agreed to invest in community based early childhood development interventions that will help to alleviate poverty and assist in economic growth and human capital investment.

This came out at a two day symposium on tackling child poverty. The symposium formed part of Child Protection Week, which runs from 28 May to 4 June.

Addressing the last day of the symposium Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Social Development Jean Swanson-Jacobs said there was clearly a lot of work to be done to halve child poverty.

Dr Swanson-Jacobs further reiterated the importance of integrated coordination between government, non-governmental organisations and civil society to further the cause of South African children.

She said the working groups of the symposium recommended the adoption of some of these community development approaches to deal with child poverty:

* providing infra-structure to ensure effective community based intervention that will address basic needs;

* community education and information to create awareness;

* restoring entrepreneurial spirit linked to the beneficiaries of social grants; and

* sustainable funding.

The Child Protection Week is government's annual campaign to educate and mobilise communities to put children first.

The campaign focuses on mobilising all sectors of society to promote children's well-being.

This year's campaign also highlights the fight against child poverty and protection.

At the opening of Child Protection Week Monday, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya noted that government was strengthening collaborations to address social ills such as child neglect, abuse and exploitation as well as substance abuse and other circumstances that perpetuate child vulnerability.

He said child poverty could not be dealt with in isolation from the broader context of the family and the community.

"Most of the South African families and communities, in particular those who were disadvantaged by the past regime find it very difficult to get out of the poverty trap.

"They have remained poor throughout their lifespan and in many cases across generations," said Dr Skweyiya.

South Africa will join the world on Friday to observe International Children's Day.

The day will be observed under the theme "fight poverty, protecting children from abuse, child development and violence directed to children".

Government has also urged all South Africans to wear the Green Ribbon during Child Protection Week to show their support for promoting children's rights.

The Green Ribbon symbolises united support for victims and survivors. It emphasises the importance of partnerships to tackle child poverty which increases vulnerability.