AS South Africa marked Child Protection Week from May 29 to June 5, community leaders and residents in Amaoti gathered to send a strong message against violence and abuse directed at children.

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The call to protect vulnerable children took centre stage on Saturday, June 6, when men from the community joined Lungisani Indlela’s second annual Child Protection Prayer Walk. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about child abuse, rape and neglect while encouraging communities to play a more active role in safeguarding children.

Lungisani Indlela’s Faye Curtis said the organisation was motivated to organise the walk because of the disturbing number of abuse cases encountered by its social worker and youth workers.

“This was the second annual walk we have arranged because our social worker and youth workers deal with so many cases of abuse, rape and neglect. The walk was to raise awareness and, hopefully, to stir people to take a stand for the younger members of our communities,” said Curtis.

Curtis noted that while Child Protection Week draws annual attention to the issue, the challenges facing children continue throughout the year.

“This year’s theme was ‘Working Together to End Violence Against Children’. It is the responsibility of all of us to be part of the answer to this scourge in our midst,” she said.

Pastor Innocent Msani, who serves in the community, highlighted the reality that much of the abuse takes place within families.

“Change has to happen within the home before all else,” he said.

The walk received support from The Domino Foundation, which runs several programmes focused on young people. Chief Growth Officer Karen Brokensha welcomed the visible involvement of men in the campaign.

“So often, it is the women whose hearts are moved by the distressing stories of physical, mental and emotional violence against children,” said Brokensha.

“It was so encouraging to see men – fathers, grandfathers and younger males who will be fathers in time – taking to the streets carrying placards bearing slogans like ‘A child’s voice may be small, but their rights are BIG!’”

For more information about Lungisani Indlela’s work towards the holistic safety and well-being of children, Curtis can be contacted at faye@lungisani-indlela.org.za.

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