On 27 May, Joburg Child Welfare in partnership with the Department of Health (Stretford Clinical Forensic Medicine) and Region G GBV stakeholders- hosted a Child Protection Awareness Campaign at Steve Biko Primary School in Ext 2.
The event was prompted by a concerning number of referrals in 2024 involving child neglect and gender-based violence (GBV), many of which were traced back to learners attending the school. This sparked the need for the Region G GBV Forum to step in and close the gap through an on-site awareness campaign.
The following organisations took part in the event: Inkanyezi HIV/AIDS; SANCA; Basic Package of Support (BPS); Social Development; Lawyers Against Abuse; Khoroni Men Forum; Let Us Grow; Isigqu So Mama; Clean Touch; Generation G; Gauteng Provincial Association for Persons with Disabilities (GPADD); Orange Farm LGBTIQ+; Intouch Youth Development; Community Support Mom; Vikelizizwe Solutions; The Crown Fixers; and the Orange Farm Ward Committee.
The campaign aimed to empower learners with knowledge about their rights and where to seek help in cases of abuse, neglect, or violence. Information was shared in a child-friendly manner to encourage reporting and help break the silence around GBV and child abuse.
Thembelinhle Khoza, GBV Social Worker for Joburg Child Welfare based at Clinical Forensic Medicine, told Orange Farm News: “This Child Protection awareness campaign is about preventing and responding to various forms of harm and exploitation against children including violence, abuse, neglect and harmful practices. We want to ensure children’s safety, wellbeing and development by protecting their fundamental rights. That starts with knowledge: teaching children how to protect themselves, avoid bullying or abusing their peers and understand which institutions and organisations can support them here in Region G.”
She added: “This campaign is important because it raises awareness about children’s rights and vulnerabilities while reminding society of its duty to protect our young ones. It also helps prevent peer-to-peer abuse by promoting empathy and responsibility among learners.”
The event highlighted the power of collaboration in protecting children and ensuring their voices are heard.
Images: Mpho Motaung
