DON MATTERA CYCC LEADS CHILD PROTECTION MARCH

By Tshepo Motholo

• The Don Mattera Youth Care Centre (CYCC) marked Child Protection Week with a powerful march to the Edenvale Police Station, presenting a memorandum calling for urgent action on issues affecting children.
• The memorandum emphasised the centre’s commitment to combatting gender-based violence (GBV), protecting children from threats like rape, bullying, discrimination, and substance abuse, and creating a supportive environment for children’s well-being.
• The CYCC stressed the need for adults to listen to children and provide them with opportunities to express themselves, reaffirming the importance of valuing, respecting, and empowering children to reach their full potential.

In a powerful display of solidarity and commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and well-being, the Don Mattera Youth Care Centre (CYCC) recently led a series of events to mark Child Protection Week.

Among the highlights was a march on Monday, May 3, 2024, at the Edenvale Police Station, where representatives from the centre handed over a memorandum to the station commander.

The memorandum, drafted by the dedicated team at Don Mattera, outlined a clear and urgent call to action on several key issues affecting children in the community. At the forefront of their message was the rallying cry, “GBV must fall,” reflecting their unwavering stance against gender-based violence and its devastating impact on children.

The document emphasised the centre’s firm commitment to keeping children happy and safe in all aspects of their lives, recognising the importance of creating a supportive and nurturing environment.

The memorandum also stressed the need for adults to listen to children and afford them the opportunity to express themselves freely. It highlighted the pressing need to protect children from a range of threats, including rape, bullying, discrimination, and substance abuse, which undermine their fundamental rights to safety, dignity, and self-determination.

As Child Protection Week draws to a close, let us heed this call and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where children are valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Together, we can build a future where every child is safe and cherished.