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Department of Social Development to celebrate the launch of Child Protection Week
25 May 2007
The Department of Social Development will celebrate the launch of Child Protection Week on 28 May 2007 in Clocolan Stadium, 13h00. The main objective of Child Protection Week is to raise awareness on issues relating to the abuse of children in South Africa.
As a build up to this event from 08h00 to 12h00 the South African Social Security Agency will be conducting Child Registration, Registration for Disability Grants, Child Support Grants, Care Dependency Grants whilst the Department of Home Affairs will be assisting with birth certificates as well as identity documents.
The National Protection Week has become an annual campaign of government to educate and mobilise communities to put children first. The National campaign is led by the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, whilst the MEC for Social Development, the Honourable Zanele Dlungwana will be leading the provincial campaign.
Child Protection Week is annually celebrated with other cluster departments and provinces led by the Department of Social Development. It will be celebrated from 28 May to 3 June 2007 to raise awareness and highlight the rights of children and the realisation of these as a constitutional imperative.
Other expected stakeholders are Provincial Youth Commission, South African Police Services, Office of the Premier, Department of Health and Education, Thabo-Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Setsoto Local Municipality, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisation, and faith based organisations.
In the Free State province Child Protection Week will be celebrated in all the districts with different activities focusing on child related issues.
"Caring Communities Protect Children" is the theme for this year and a green ribbon which is a symbol of life, hope, care and protection is used to endorse and symbolise the theme. As a sign of commitment to Child Protection, communities and all concerned with the plight of children are urged to wear a green ribbon during Child Protection Week and be actively involved in reporting all instances of child abuse.
Enquiries:
Mondli Mvambi
Manager-Communications
Tel: 051 400 0204/9
Cell: 083 265 2612
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Free State Provincial Government
25 May 2007