CHILDREN CALL FOR INCLUSION OF THEIR ISSUES IN THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE

• The Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum (SVRI Forum 24) commenced in Cape Town, where children in South Africa expressed their discontent over the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), they argued that their unique needs were overlooked in discussions dominated by adults.
• Inathi Kente, a 17-year-old representative of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament, emphasised the necessity for a dedicated focus on children’s issues within the NSP-GBVF, and advocated for a separate pillar that addresses their specific concerns.
• The Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, acknowledged the children’s concerns, and pledged to incorporate their issues into the NSP-GBVF to ensure that violence against children receives the attention it merits.

Ahead of the upcoming Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum (SVRI Forum 24) held on 21 October 2024 in Cape Town this week, the children of South Africa have expressed their concern that the NSP-GBVF, in its current form, entirely excludes their needs, while adults continue to hold discussions and make decisions on their behalf.

The SVRI Forum 24 is the world’s key research conference on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality in low- and middle-income countries. It will be held from 21 to 25 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Representing children at a side initiative yesterday organised by the Department of Social Development and UNICEF, themed “Addressing the Intersection Between Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women,” Inathi Kente (17), a member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament and Western Cape Child Ambassador, made it clear that children’s needs and concerns are unique and should be exclusively focused on within the NSP-GBVF—the country’s blueprint document for addressing gender-based violence and femicide.

He stated that children across all provinces, during consultations about the NSP-GBVF, agreed that the document should include a separate pillar focusing on children’s issues exclusively.

In a powerful and thoughtful address, Inathi lamented the fact that adults continue to exclude them from important decision-making processes. He highlighted that even the side initiative, which aimed to discuss the intersectionality between Violence Against Women and Violence Against Children, was held at a time when children were preparing for their exams, limiting their ability to participate in the discussion.

He noted that his colleague and fellow ambassador from the Western Cape could not attend the initiative as she was preparing for her matric examinations. Inathi himself had sacrificed his own preparations to represent the 21 million children of South Africa at the initiative, from which they would also be excluded.

In a detailed and scathing critique of the NSP-GBVF, Inathi pointed out that the current document uses strong language and is not child-friendly. He went through each pillar, making it clear that the message was from the children: “The children said the NSP is not considerate of them, and there is no accountability for children’s issues since they are not part of the portfolio committees where policies affecting their lives are considered.”

He noted that the NSP does not address the needs of boys or male children, even though the country considers GBVF not to be a gender-biased issue. He highlighted that children have no one to protect them and are often left to defend themselves against their perpetrators.

“Children indicated that there are loopholes in the criminal justice system, with significant corruption within the SAPS, making it difficult for them to report cases as they are often asked to bring an adult along.”

Inathi remarked that the NSP primarily refers to violence against women, older persons, and individuals with disabilities, neglecting children, which demonstrates that their protection is not taken seriously.

He called for adequate campaigns to educate communities on violence against children, alongside programmes and interventions targeting boys.

In response to the concerns raised by the children, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, committed to addressing the issues raised. She acknowledged that the concerns were genuine and must be considered for implementation and inclusion in the NSP-GBVF. “The inclusion of Pillar 7, as advocated for in the Children’s Report, will ensure that violence against children receives the attention and priority it deserves,” said Minister Tolashe.

The SVRI Forum 24 starts today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and will continue until Friday.

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT