Resolutions taken by MPLs regarding child welfare and children's rights

MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE USE

RESOLUTIONS ON THE ROUND TABLE SESSION ON CHILD WELFARE AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

In a two day round table session held by the Portfolio Committee on Social Development and stakeholders in child welfare and children's rights the following priorities were identified for the next parliament 2009-2013:

• The Department of Social Development needs to ensure provision of sufficient human capital in the specific area of social service professionals e.g. child care workers, social auxiliary workers etc
• The department also needs to provide for capacity development of the social service personnel staring from provincial to local government level.
• Training of stakeholders on departmental mandate, legislations and protocols
• The Office of the Premier and District Municipalities also need to enhance coordination and integration of social needs cluster services to stakeholders by strengthening inter-sectoral partnerships.
• More transparent communication between Social Development Department, NGO's and other stakeholders on funding, business plan approvals, training and salaries.

"Developing a movement, working together to save the children of the Eastern Cape is what we need" said Honourable Xoliswa Tom, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development.

The above mentioned resolutions come from insightful evaluation of achievements and in-routes yet to be explored on addressing the plight of children in the Province which were outlined as follows:

The Provincial Legislature, through the Portfolio Committee on Social Development has participated in the development of the Children's Amendment Act 47 of 2007, by partaking in the publicity of the Bill and holding public hearings.  This legislation addresses the gaps that were identified in the Child Care Act 74 of 1983.  It also integrates the needs of:

• Child headed households, community based cluster foster homes, partial care, shelters recognised as part of Child and Youth Care Centres,
• a wide range of prevention and early intervention community based services,
• early Childhood Development Centres and services that includes community based parental programmes.

Another achievement for the term coming to an end is that Children's Act 38 of 2005 has been passed and 43 Sections have been promulgated in July 2007.  This Act covers among others:

• The Parental rights and responsibilities,
• Age of majority, Child participation, Circumcision and Virginity testing which other parts of the province still practised.

This Act also promotes family preservation and strengthening of families and also covers the needs of disabled children.

The round table session was held at the Regent Hotel on 13-14 November 2008 aiming to provide a platform for further engagements with organized groups that deal with the children in the Eastern Cape and identify challenges facing children in communities since the advent of democracy.

The Eastern Cape round table session followed the National Council of Provinces session which was held on 11-12 September 2008 in Cape Town.  In making its resolutions today, the round table session sought to outline priorities on child welfare for tabulation to Provincial Parliament.  This is being done to prepare a road map for the new democratic term of office which is to start in 2009.