Let’s create a safe society for children

Female learners have begun vetting universities for their higher-education dreams based on safety, said the founder and managing director of Valued Citizens Initiative, Carole Podetti-Ngono.

“For the first time, we have girl learners with chances of going to university on a bursary, choosing universities based on safety and gender-based violence prevalence,” said Podetti-Ngono.

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Valued Citizens Initiative is a non-profit organisation that inspires South Africans to lead a purpose-driven life, adding value to society and contributing towards the South African economy.

The organisation provides essential soft skills and professional development programmes to various stakeholders, but in particular the pillars of children’s development – educators and professionals in social work and parents.

“The choice of our girl matriculants is narrowing, so as we work with government it is key to bring all relevant and ethical stakeholders to collaborate for a holistic approach on prevention to become the focus.”

Podetti-Ngono said as an organisation they believe in the development of leadership skills in young people to enhance self-awareness, to strengthen self-confidence, self-management skills, open communication and creativity to become problem-solvers and be able to have a voice to set boundaries and feel safe.

“Young people experience their first formal organisation at school and models of leadership are developed from this critical period. While at school, many adolescents wish to find positive role models.

“Through our programme and in particular our iNSPIRE programme, we develop a new generation of leaders within the school ecosystem and this shifts realities.”

The programme focuses on Grade Nine girl child learners that we follow until matric from rural and township public schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Free State provinces.

It has reached more than 1 300 girl learners from 137 public high schools.

“This has had a positive effect on young girls in school and in their communities, and helped their understanding of their role in the wider society,” said Podetti-Ngono.

She added that it is time young people feel safe and secure stepping outside of the basic education premises to pursue their life-long role as valued citizens, so it is essential to work with government, law firms, corporates, higher education institutions and NGOs committed to render sustainable programmes instead of events.

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“The link between gender-based violence, human rights and children in South Africa has become horrendous.

“During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, our focus tends to be on women, but what about the children?

Children need to feel safe and they need to know that they have access to their rights,” said Podetti-Ngono.

She added as an organisation they develop constitutional literacy, but it’s the society we create that reinforces the access to these rights.

“We believe it is time to create synergies and play a bigger role by working together.

“At the end of the day, what do our children do with all these life skills in a world in which they do not feel safe, valued or seen?” concluded Podetti-Ngono.