UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN DR NAJAT MAALLA M’JID MEETS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• ⁠United Nations’ special representative of the secretary general on violence against children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, met South Africa’s parliamentary portfolio committee on social development.
• ⁠She is in the country to discover how the country tackles the scourge of child abuse and neglect.
• ⁠Introducing Dr M’jid to the committee, Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe emphasised South Africa’s role as a pathfinder country in the global campaign to protect children.

The United Nations’ special representative of the secretary general on violence against children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, was formally introduced to the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development in Cape Town this morning, 14 May 2025.

Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe explained that Dr M’jid was visiting the country at a particularly important time, even attending the launch of Child Protection Month in Thaba Nchu, Free State, on Sunday, 12 May 2025.

Dr M’jid also experienced firsthand the work being done by the Department of Social Development across the country, meeting various stakeholders, including traditional leaders and representatives from non-profit organisations, in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Yesterday, Dr M’jid visited the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Athlone, where she heard directly from women fleeing abuse.

The centre is a sanctuary named after the Khoikhoi woman whose story has become a symbol of exploitation and resilience.

“Tomorrow she will be our guest as we celebrate the International Day of Families as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/237 of 20 September 1993,” the minister told the committee.

The visit from the United Nations delegation is particularly significant.

Last year, South Africa pledged to fight against violence against children during their participation in the first global ministerial conference on ending violence against children in Bogotá, Colombia.

The conference was organised by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and hosted by the Colombian and Swedish governments.

“South Africa is a pathfinder country, part of the global partnership to fight violence against children,” Minister Tolashe noted.

Pathfinders unite to ensure the safety, well-being, and dignity of all children across the world.

The UN visit is being undertaken to engage with all stakeholders to find out how the country tackles the scourge of child abuse in South Africa.