ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IS A CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION

By Cuma Pantshwa

• ⁠A high-level meeting in Pretoria on 12 May 2025 emphasised the importance of aligning the country’s social sector behind the shared mission of ending violence against children.
• In her keynote address, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe reminded all those in attendance that protecting children is not a matter of choice, but of legal and moral duty.
• ⁠“Child protection is everyone’s business,” Minister Tolashe noted, adding: “The time to act decisively is now. We must accelerate progress – not tomorrow, but today.”

The national 2025 Child Protection Month campaign has moved from the Free State to Gauteng, with Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe hosting a high-level, multi-stakeholder meeting in Pretoria, leading the national call to action to end violence against children.

This intentional and inspiring engagement brought together key players in the child protection sector to reflect on progress, strengthen coordination, and renew their shared mission to safeguard children’s rights.

The meeting formed part of South Africa’s commitment as a pathfinding member of the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children.

The meeting was graced by Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the United Nations’ special representative of the secretary-general on violence against children, who is currently on a five-day mission across South Africa.

Her visit highlights South Africa’s recognised leadership in building integrated, cross-sectoral child protection systems.

Held under the theme “Working Together in Ending Violence Against Children”, the Pretoria session served as a key activity of Child Protection Month, which is used to put the spotlight on the plight of children, promote preventative measures, and evaluate the national 365 Days Child Protection Programme of Action.

In her welcoming remarks, the Department of Social Development’s deputy director general Siza Magangoe underscored the purpose of the meeting: “This is not just about reporting. It’s about aligning the sector behind a shared mission. As a pathfinder country, expectations are high – and we must demonstrate action.”

She noted that the UN visit presented an opportunity not only for the Department of Social Development, but also for all relevant departments to showcase their efforts and progress.

To this end, various departments, including basic education, health, small business development and communications and digital technologies, delivered 10-minute presentations on their contributions to preventing and responding to violence against children. These included early interventions, community outreach, digital safety initiatives, and support services for vulnerable children.

Special focus was given to emerging digital threats, particularly online exploitation.

The Department of Social Development, with support from UNICEF (the UN Children’s Fund) and other partners, reported strides in building digital literacy among children, parents, and educators.

Social service professionals are also being capacitated to respond effectively to online harms, as part of a broader effort to develop a Model National Response Strategy.

In her keynote address, Minister Tolashe powerfully reminded attendees that protecting children is not a matter of choice, but of legal and moral duty. “Ending violence against children is not just a moral imperative, it is a constitutional obligation.”

She referenced Section 28 of the Bill of Rights, which guarantees every child protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

“Children belong to the nation. The president has got to protect his own, because that is his future,” she asserted.

Reflecting on South Africa’s participation in the first Global Ministerial Conference in Bogotá in 2024, the minister highlighted the country’s reaffirmed pledge and the implementation of the INSPIRE strategies – a set of seven evidence-based approaches to ending violence against children through policy, education, and community action.

The meeting also reinforced the role of multi-sectoral collaboration.

Minister Tolashe’s decision to invite a wide range of departments symbolised the recognition that no single entity can eradicate violence alone. Effective coordination and shared accountability are essential.

The broader Global Pathfinding Alliance, of which South Africa is a founding member, now includes 42 states and a wide network of actors, from governments and UN bodies to faith-based organisations, civil society, and youth.

According to the UN, despite significant progress, over one billion children still experience some form of violence annually, reinforcing the urgency of the mission.

As Minister Tolashe concluded her opening remarks and invited the departments’ presentations, she delivered a compelling call to action. “Child protection is everyone’s business. The time to act decisively is now. We must accelerate progress – not tomorrow, but today.”

And with unwavering conviction, she concluded: “If we truly respect the Constitution, then ending violence against children is what we must do.”