Social Development Minister Dina Pule led a Children's Summit on Ending Violence Against Children in White River, Mbombela, Mpumalanga. The summit, held under the principle "Nothing About Children Without Children," aims to elevate children's voices and ensure their priorities inform renewed commitments and accountability processes. The two-day event brings together officials, child protection organisations, and children to discuss ways to end violence against children. The summit is a crucial step towards creating a safer environment for children in South Africa.
The Department of Social Development stated that the summit seeks to facilitate the development of child-informed recommendations and foster multisectoral partnerships among government, civil society, communities, development partners, the private sector, and children. This effort is part of South Africa's commitment to the United Nations' goals on ending violence against children. In 2024, the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children was held in Bogotá, Colombia, where South Africa made a national commitment to seven breakthroughs to be implemented across 52 districts.
Globally, children continue to be exposed to and remain vulnerable to violence at home, in schools and communities, in institutions, and within digital spaces through cyberbullying, online exploitation, and other harmful online interactions. The summit will utilise child-centred, inclusive, and participatory approaches that enable children to freely express their views and experiences. This approach ensures that children's voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in policymaking processes.
The summit is being attended by officials and representatives from various departments, including Social Development, Basic Education, Health, Justice and Constitutional Development, and the National Prosecuting Authority. The South African Police Service, child protection organisations, civil society organisations, and children are also participating in the event. Child Ambassadors from all nine provinces and participants from non-governmental organisations, religious and traditional sectors, are contributing to the summit's deliberations.
Minister Dina Pule emphasised the importance of creating a safe and conducive environment for children to participate in policymaking processes. The department's efforts to deepen child participation in policymaking processes are crucial in ensuring that children's rights are protected and their voices are heard. The summit provides a platform for children to share their experiences and inform policy decisions that affect their lives.
The Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children will be hosted in South Africa, highlighting the country's commitment to addressing this critical issue. The conference will bring together global leaders to discuss strategies and best practices in ending violence against children. South Africa's hosting of the conference demonstrates its dedication to creating a safer environment for children.
The Children's Summit is a significant step towards achieving the goals set out in the United Nations' agenda on ending violence against children. The event has brought together various stakeholders to discuss ways to address this critical issue. The outcome of the summit will inform policy decisions and contribute to the development of effective strategies to end violence against children in South Africa.
Key points
- The Children's Summit on Ending Violence Against Children was led by Social Development Minister Dina Pule in Mpumalanga.
- The summit aimed to elevate children's voices and ensure their priorities inform renewed commitments and accountability processes.
- The event was attended by officials, child protection organisations, and children from various sectors.
