Teboho Setena
The national Child Protection Month campaign for the Free State was launched by the minister of Social Development, Nokusola Tolashe, at an event held at the Refentse Primary School in Thaba Nchu on Sunday, 11 May.
The annual drive raises awareness about the safeguarding of children and their rights.
The theme for this year’s event is “Working Together to End Violence Against Children”, underscored by the growing rate of violence against children.
Tolashe was accompanied by the MEC for Social Development, Mathabo Leeto, to launch the campaign.
Thembile Nqabeni, provincial spokesperson for the department, said the theme was aligned with a five-year global commitment on ending violence towards children by 2030.
The awareness campaign will continue until June, during which parents and the broader community are encouraged to play a role in protection of children.
During the campaign, parents are informed about the rights of children and the protection owed to them.
Nqabeni said the town of Thaba Nchu was chosen due to growing rates of child sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.
He said the number of reported cases stood at 26 000, for the 2024-’25 period.
“In response to the plight, the Department of Social Development is providing education and information programmes that help in the protection of children, against risk factors and building their resilience,” he said.
Nqabeni said the department’s campaign was further informed by the fact that children in South Africa are confronted by multiple-issue challenges such as teenage pregnancy often leading to dropping out of school, child trafficking, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment, gender-based violence (GBV) and the scourge of HIV/Aids.
He said although May has been designated as Child Protection Month, the department continues with the effort to protect children through the 365 Days Child Protection Programme of Action, focusing on the prevention and management of violence against children.
Nqabeni said the department was working with the departments of Education and Health, the police, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Risiha, a South African government initiative primarily run by the Department of Social Development and supported by organisations like the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). It aims to support vulnerable children – including orphans, those in child-headed households, those living on the streets and those with chronic health conditions.
