CHILDREN SPEAK OUT AT SUMMIT ON ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

By Tholakele Makena

• Guided by the principle “Nothing About Children Without Children,” the two-day Summit in White River, led by Minister Dina Pule, gave children a direct platform to share their experiences and recommendations on ending violence against them.
• Child Ambassadors called for full implementation of child-protection laws and raised concerns about corporal punishment, bullying, gender-based violence at home, online safety and harmful cultural practices, recommending positive parenting programmes, more social workers in schools and support for families.
• The Department, UNICEF and stakeholders stressed collective responsibility for child protection, while the Summit reviewed South Africa’s 2024 Bogotá commitments ahead of the Second Ministerial Conference in Manila in November 2026.

Children were at the heart of the discussions when the National Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development, hosted a two-day Children’s Summit on Ending Violence Against Children in White River, Mbombela, from 1 to 2 October 2026.

Led by the Minister of Social Development, Ms Dina Pule, the Summit brought together children, government representatives and stakeholders under the principle “Nothing About Children Without Children.” It gave children a platform to share their experiences, raise concerns and make recommendations on issues affecting their safety, protection and wellbeing.

Opening the Summit, Minister Pule emphasised that children must have a meaningful say in decisions that affect their lives. She reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to implementing the seven breakthrough areas for ending violence against children and called for continued cooperation among government, communities, families and other stakeholders.

Child Ambassadors presented reports on consultations held in their provinces. Tristan Fortune (17), a Grade 11 learner, Deputy President of the Children’s Parliament and Western Cape Child Ambassador, called for the full implementation of policies and legislation relating to children. He stressed the need to turn commitments into action that protects children at home, at school and in their communities.

Representing children from KwaZulu-Natal, Child Ambassador Mpendulo Gumede presented a consolidated report on consultations held across ten districts. Children raised concerns about corporal punishment, bullying in schools, exposure to gender-based violence at home and the need for supportive, attentive parenting. They also called for accessible psychosocial services, stronger online safety, protection from harmful cultural practices and meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives.

“We want to be included in decision-making,” was one of the messages captured during the consultations. The report recommended expanding positive parenting programmes, strengthening anti-bullying campaigns, improving responses to child abuse cases, increasing access to social workers in schools and supporting families through economic opportunities.

Online safety also featured prominently. A representative of the Film and Publication Board warned children about strangers who use social media to gain their trust through compliments and attention before manipulating or coercing them. Children learnt about sextortion and were encouraged to seek help from trusted adults, report abusive accounts and remember that abuse is never their fault.

UNICEF South Africa Deputy Country Representative, Mr Irfan Akhtar, emphasised that children’s experiences and views should inform decisions and interventions that concern them. He highlighted the importance of collective action by government, families, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen child protection.

The Summit also provided an opportunity to reflect on the commitments South Africa made at the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia, as the country prepares for the Second Ministerial Conference in Manila, Philippines, in November 2026.

The Summit concluded with a focus on strengthening collaboration and ensuring that children’s views and recommendations continue to inform efforts to prevent violence and create safe, supportive environments for children.