By Thembile Nqabeni

• The primary objective of the second build-up activity was to equip parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard their children.
• Thaba-Nchu has been identified as an area with a high rate of child abuse, making it a critical location for such initiatives, an apt choice following reported cases of children between the ages of 10-14 who are pregnant.
• ⁠Parents were given pointers on recognising the signs of child abuse, seeking help and understanding children’s rights.

The second dry-run of activities building-up to Child Protection Week Activity starting next week was held at Refentse Primary School in Thaba-Nchu, where parents gathered to engage in crucial discussions about child safety.
It follows a similar event held on Wednesday in Dewetsdorp, Morojaneng, in preparation for the Child Protection main event which will take place on 11 May 2025 in Thaba Nchu. The program targeted school learners; parents and community members.

Thaba-Nchu has been identified as an area with a high rate of child abuse, making it a critical location for such initiatives. Disturbingly, there have been reported cases of children between the ages of 10-14 who are pregnant, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and education.

The build-up activity is in collaboration with the Department of Labour, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Setshabelo Center under Risiha program and Tshireletsong Against Women Abuse (TAWA)

The Child Protection week long campaign aims to raise awareness about child protection and promotes a safe and supportive environment for children not to be exposed to any kind of abuse.
The event will feature educational programs that teaches learners and parents to be aware of forms abuse and ways to prevent child abuse and neglect in their households which starts with the way parents talk to their children and the kind of language used .

The collaboration between government departments,local stakeholders and NPO’s shows commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of children within Dewetsdorp community.

The primary objective of this build-up activity was to equip parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard their children.

The sessions focused on:

Recognising the signs of child abuse: Parents learn how to identify potential indicators of abuse and take prompt action to prevent further harm.

Seeking help: Parents are informed about the available resources and support systems, enabling them to ask for help when needed.

Understanding children’s rights: The activities aim to educate parents about their children’s rights, fostering a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring their children’s well-being

The second session of today’s build-up activity was held at Tlotlanang Combined School in Thaba-Nchu. The age group ranged from 12 to 16 years old. The build-up activity focused on engaging with child, and the topics discussed were:

•⁠ ⁠Understanding children’s rights

•⁠ ⁠What is child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and online sexual exploitation and abuse

•⁠ ⁠Types of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and abuse

•⁠ ⁠Signs and symptoms of a sexually abused child, including blind sexual exploitation and abuse

•⁠ ⁠What to do when a child is sexually abused

The learners were divided into different groups to discuss these topics.

One of the learners from the school said, “Being forced to take nude pictures and being forced to sleep with someone against your own will is considered a sexual offense as well.” She further said, “As learners, we need to report any form of abuse or feeling uncomfortable around any men.

While May is considered as Child Protection Awareness Month, the importance of protecting children extends far beyond a single month. Child protection is a 365-day responsibility for parents and caregivers. By engaging with parents and communities throughout the year, we can work towards creating a safer environment for all children.

Investing time and effort into educating parents and caregivers about child protection, we can build a brighter future for the children of Thaba-Nchu. Through these build-up activities, we hope to inspire a culture of care, support, and protection, ultimately reducing the incidence of child abuse and promoting a safer, healthier community for all.