Opinion

How we can help to create havens of safety for our children

June 16, 2006 Edition 1

Macharia Kamau

The African Union has declared the theme of this year's June 16 commemorations, the United Nations Day of the African Child, as 'Right to protection: Stop violence against children'. Macharia Kamau explains

Thirty years ago today, the world witnessed one of the most grotesque acts of violence perpetrated against children, when Soweto exploded with gunfire directed by the police at school pupils who dared to protest against the language of instruction.

Today, violent acts against children are far more insidious, occurring in the very spaces where children should feel most safe and secure - their homes, communities and schools.

Worse, many of these crimes of violence against children often go unreported, as young victims know their attackers or violators and are too afraid to voice their plight.

At a meeting of the Council of Education Ministers, the Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga were cited as the provinces with the highest incidence of violence in schools involving child victims and perpetrators.

In announcing a plan to identify the most vulnerable schools and introduce immediate protection measures for the pupils, the ministers of education noted that the safety of children in schools could not be guaranteed.

Add to that startling fact the statistics from the 2004/2005 police annual report. It depicts a surge in violence against the young and vulnerable. The report shows that in the 2004/2005 financial year, more than 360 000 women and child-ren were murdered, raped, assaulted, sexually molested or abused.

It reports more than 55 000 cases of rape of girls and women; approximately 40%, or 22 500, of those involving children under 18. Further, we note the disturbing figure of more than 38 000 South African children known to be involved in the sex trade, as reported by the Children's Institute.

This is a most frightening picture. It is also one that children themselves drew our attention to during last year's regional consultations for the UN secretary-general's study on violence against children.

This process has contributed to the proclamation of 365 days without violence, and led to the development of a national action plan to end violence against women and children.

The national action plan is being rolled out around the country, with specific interventions such as the scaling up of Thuthuzela Care Centres. These are integrated judicial, health-care and social havens for abused children and women, offering rape survivors immediate treatment and psychological support.

Their number will increase from 12 to 18 by the end of 2006 and from 18 to 80 by 2010.

Children should not be on the receiving end of violence or abuse, nor should their schools, homes and communities be places where violent acts are committed against them with impunity.

The good news, however, is that this is a picture we can change.

But all stakeholders must take part in bringing about the change; no one can be left out. We need strong legislative action coupled with vigilant monitoring and action by all community-based organisations, government leaders, MPs, law enforcement officials, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, local government, parents, educators, school committees and health-care workers, to provide safety nets to protect children from violence and support their development.

The multiplier effect of violence not only destroys lives but also undermines the very fabric of civilised society.

The UN Children's Fund believes that urgent action is needed now to bring an end to violence against children and we continue to work with the government and non-governmental partners to mitigate the situation.

Children should be children - healthy, safe, motivated and protected.

Here are some of the ways we can begin to achieve this.