Working together to protect children

CHILD Protection Week is celebrated in South Africa on an annual basis to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005.

Child Welfare Durban and District is commemorating the week, as it is in line with its objective to promote the protection of children through education; create awareness of children’s rights and responsibilities to community members; to facilitate social behaviour change through education and awareness of HIV/AIDS to communites and to strengthen the capacities of young people to enable them to take charge of their own well-being through enhancing life skills and maximising their potential.

Its service delivery is divided into two – residential services, which is responsible for the four child and youth care centres – and community services, which is the arm responsible for early intervention, prevention services, continuum of care, adoptions and statutory services.

“Although we still experience challenges in our pursuit of giving childhood back to children, we also believe that we have made significant steps in ensuring that abuse cases are reported and perpetrators are brought to book. We commend the public for their role in ensuring that the children in our City have a voice and that they feel safe and protected,” said Shehnaaz Gabru from Child Welfare.

She said the organisation's call is to all stakeholders to partner with them in their mission of protecting, investigating and providing care in case of children in need, including neglect, abuse, abandonment, orphanhood, children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS, and children who had been living in the streets.

For more information on how you can assist, contact 031 312 313 or email: info@cwdd.org.za