November 20th, “World Children’s Day: Inclusion, for every child”

World Children’s Day is celebrated annually on 20 November to promote children's rights and welfare globally, it marks the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), this was also the date when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution welcoming the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.

In South Africa, the inclusion in the Bill of Rights of a special section on the rights of the child was an important development for the children.

Child rights are human rights. But today children’s rights are being misunderstood, disregarded or even denied and attacked. This day offers communities and stakeholders an opportunity to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children. According to the 2024 Child Gauge Report by the Children’s Institute, Early Childhood Development is key in reducing socio-economic inequality, yet millions of children in low-income and rural areas lack access to quality early learning, nutrition, health services and safe living environment. “We call on government, private sector and civil society to collaborate to dismantle these barriers. Without focused urgent attention, inclusion for every child will remain just a dream, says Kgomotso Loate: Child Safeguarding Officer at SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa.

At SOS Children’s Villages we offer, secure and loving care in a family setting, to children who have lost or are at risk of losing the care of their parents and cannot live with their biological family. It is our responsibility as an organisation to uphold and ensure our children are protected.

SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa calls for the implementation of all children’s rights.

For more information on our work, and to support our Child Protection efforts, please go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/.

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About SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa

SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of South Africa’s most marginalised children. We offer loving, family-like care for children and young people who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Established in 1984, SOS Children’s Villages has eight programmes and three Social Centres across eight provinces. Each year our Alternative Care, Family Strengthening and Youth Employability programmes provide life-changing support to children and families across the country. The Alternative Care model comprises of four principles that include a mother (each child has a caring parent), brothers and sisters (the family ties grow naturally), a house (a secure place to grow up in) and a village (the SOS family is part of the community). Our Family Strengthening Programme aims to enable children who are at risk of losing the care of their families to grow within a safe family environment. We work in co-operation with local authorities and other service providers to empower families and communities to effectively protect and care for their children.

For More Information:

Go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/

Contact Seithuto Seakgwa on +27 (0) 82 575 1114 or Seithuto.Seakgwa@sos.org.za

Issued by:

SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa