Let it be child protection week everyday

Child protection week 2017 was launched on the 27^th of May and will be running till the 2^nd of June. The aim of this week is to raise awareness around children’s rights and mobilising all sectors of society to care for and protect children.

In this week it is in our power to make sure that the children are free from abuse, violence and neglect and give them safety, security and protection. We know that children are trusting and are unable to fight for themselves or even speak up when being abused.

What saddens me is that we have parents who do not care about their childrens’ where abouts. A child should not spend more than two hours without their parents knowing where they are, what are they doing and who are they with. I am saying this because in most cases the people that rape and kill the children are the people close to their families, because everyone thinks that they can trust them.

We have heard talks that “It should be child protection week every day” trust me I do agree with that, why do we only need a week to protect and care for the kids? It is in this week only that we find the police giving us tips on how to make sure that our children are safe, this is the only week we hear the department of social development giving long speeches about protecting children, what about the rest of the year? It has to really stop. 

Well, I am not a parent yet, but when I decide to have kids I want them to grow up in an environment that has really low or zero crime. I want them to grow up in a nurturing household, living a happy life without me having to worry about them being abused by some stranger. The safety of our children should really be our priority as parents, yes I included myself there. You know what they: “It takes a village to raise a child.” I want to teach my kids not to accept anything from anybody, especially strangers.

It is within the children’s safety to know their full names, age, and their parents’ cell numbers. Do not allow your children to accept gifts from strangers or engage in a conversation with them. Do allow them to play with other kids though.

How can parents make sure that their children are safe?

·         Know where your children at all times.

·         Know their friends and places they visit.

·         Never leave them unattended in a public place or vehicle.

·         Listen to your children, especially when they tell you they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere.

·         Teach them they have a right to say no.

·         Teach them to kick, resist and scream when strangers take them by force.

Let us protect our children because they are the future.

Report child abuse call: 0800 055 555