Child Safety and Protection host sessions at The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) is an advocacy development agency and a leading champion for the general well-being of children, founded in 1995 by the former statesman Mr. Nelson Mandela. The Fund strives to change the way society treats its children and youth. This long-term vision captures the central role society plays in shaping children’s lives.

NMCF’s Child Safety and Protection Programme aims to create protective environments that prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, and violence against children in households, and schools, and other spaces, including digital, where they live, learn and play. Furthermore, the Programmes also seeks to improve access to rights and safe, protective care for children (all persons under the age of 18) in South Africa.

Despite the comprehensive legislative framework promoting children’s rights and aiming to prevent child abuse and neglect, recently reported increases in child murders, attempted murders, and kidnappings, coupled with poverty-induced vulnerabilities, indicate that child safety and protection programming is critical to ENSURING South Africa’s children develop and thrive.

As a country South Africa commemorates, National Child Protection Week annually, to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). This year the week timelines are from 29th May to 05th June 2022.

The current NMCF Strategic Objectives:
SO1: Empower families and communities to adequately care (healthcare, safety, nutrition, education, economic position, basic services) for their children and youth.
SO2: Create platforms to amplify the voices of children and youths
SO3: Address and influence government shortfalls in relation to children and youth (advocacy and lobbying
SO4: Create a collaborative environment to amplify the impact of NMCF on children and youth through strategic partnerships

Children’s Sessions at The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

Engaging with the children aligns with strategic objective – Create platforms to amplify the voices of children and youths. The Child Safety and Protection Unit is convening sessions with children, to be able to meaningfully take part and express their perspectives on being safe and protected. These insights will inform our interventions, and strengthen future communication being more representative of children’s views and experiences. The children who are also patients of NMCH represent as fairly under-represented, often excluded sub-population of children; those living with and managing serious illness.