SOUTH AFRICA TAKES STOCK OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: WHAT THE THIRD PERIODIC REPORT MEANS FOR EVERY CHILD

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa has submitted its Third Periodic Report on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), outlining both progress and remaining gaps in protecting children.
• The Department of Social Development (DSD) says the real test of the report is whether children experience their rights at home, at school and in their communities, not only on paper.
• Through the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), the Department of Social Development (DSD) is calling on families, communities and all sectors of society to share responsibility for protecting children.

South Africa has taken another important step towards strengthening the protection of children’s rights by submitting its Third Periodic Report on the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. But beyond the formal reporting process, what does this milestone mean for the millions of children growing up in the country?

For a child in a rural village, an informal settlement or an urban community, children’s rights are not simply commitments written into law. They are reflected in everyday experiences: having enough to eat, attending school, accessing healthcare, being protected from abuse and neglect, and growing up in a safe and nurturing family.

These issues lie at the heart of the report, which was submitted to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), the African Union body that monitors how member states implement their obligations under the Charter.

The report outlines the country’s progress in advancing children’s rights, including legislative reforms, as well as policies and programmes to prevent violence against children, strengthen child protection systems, expand access to essential services and give children a say in decisions affecting their lives. Importantly, it examines both progress and areas requiring further intervention. Its submission is therefore not a declaration that all challenges have been resolved, but part of an ongoing process of accountability and improvement.

For the Department of Social Development (DSD), which coordinates children’s rights initiatives in government, the submission is an opportunity to reflect on progress, identify persistent challenges and strengthen collective efforts to ensure that no child is left behind.

Sarah Mabasa, Social Work Policy Manager in DSD’s Child Rights Governance, Advocacy and Compliance Directorate, says the report’s significance extends beyond South Africa’s obligation to account to the African Union.
“Behind every policy, law and programme is a child whose life should change for the better.

For us, protecting children’s rights means ensuring that children are not only recognised in legislation but that they experience those rights in their homes, schools and communities. A child should not have to understand the Constitution or international conventions to enjoy the protection and opportunities guaranteed by these instruments,” says Mabasa.

South Africa’s Constitution and legislative framework place the best interests of children at the centre of decisions affecting their well-being. The Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005), of which DSD is the custodian, provides the legal foundation for the care and protection of children. However, legislation alone cannot address every challenge, and protecting children requires coordinated action by government, families, communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Mabasa emphasises that this responsibility is shared across society.
“Children’s rights cannot be the responsibility of government alone. Parents, caregivers, educators, community leaders and ordinary citizens all have a role to play. When a child experiences abuse, neglect or exploitation, silence should never be an option. Protecting children begins with recognising that their safety, dignity and well-being are everyone’s responsibility,” she says.

Through the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), DSD continues to promote a whole-of-society approach. The strategy recognises that children’s circumstances are shaped by interconnected social and economic factors, including household poverty, nutrition, healthcare, education, social protection and safe living environments.

As custodian of the strategy, DSD works with other government departments, civil society and development partners to coordinate interventions, while advancing child protection services and promoting children’s meaningful participation in matters affecting their lives.

This approach recognises children not merely as recipients of services, but as individuals whose rights, opinions and experiences should inform the policies and programmes designed for them.

For ordinary South Africans, this accountability matters because children’s rights must translate into measurable improvements in their daily lives. The report also gives stakeholders an opportunity to engage with the country’s progress, identify gaps and help strengthen the systems that protect children.

“The real measure of progress is not simply the number of policies we develop or reports we submit. It is whether a child who was previously vulnerable is now safer, whether families can access the support they need and whether children have a genuine opportunity to grow and thrive. That is the impact we must continue working towards,” says Mabasa.

As South Africa reflects on its progress under the Charter, DSD reiterates its commitment to working with all sectors of society to advance children’s rights and strengthen child protection. Mabasa says the true value of the report lies in its ability to inspire greater public awareness, accountability and collective action towards building a country where every child is safe, valued and protected.

“This report belongs to all South Africans because the future of our children is a shared responsibility. We therefore encourage communities, civil society organisations, child protection practitioners, development partners and all stakeholders to engage with its findings, reflect on the progress we have made and help address the challenges that remain. Every child we protect today is a future we safeguard for tomorrow,” she said

📄 Access the full report through the Department of Social Development’s official website: https://www.dsd.gov.za/index.php/component/jdownloads/?task=download.send&id=713:south-africa-s-third-periodic-report-to-the-acerwc-final&catid=7&m=0&Itemid=101