PRETORIA- The country, through the Minister of Social Development, has the task of ending violence towards children.
These were the words of Acting Chief Director for Child Protection at the Department of Social Development.
Neliswa Cekiso was speaking following the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development meeting with the United Nations special representative of the secretary general Dr Najat Maalla M’jid on violence against children.
WATCH | International Boy Child Day | Violence has a long-term effects on development
She was in the country to discover how South Africa is addressing the scourge of child abuse and neglect.
The visit comes in light wide spread reports of children being raped and assaulted the past two weeks.
According to Cekiso, during the meeting,g Maalla M’jid found that upscaling prevention and early intervention at local level is important this is because abuse of children is most common there.
At the same time, the task also weighs on parents and caregivers who need to be empowered to ensure that we build a strong and resilient country.