Multi-racial households surge in South Africa

South Africa has pledged to address violence against children through seven key focus areas in 52 districts. Social Development Minister Dina Pule unveiled the plan at the Children's Summit on Ending Violence Against Children in Mbombela. The seven areas were not detailed in her opening remarks, but the Bogota Call to Action reinforced the government's commitment to combating violence against children and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The National Strategic Plan on GBVF serves as the country's roadmap for tackling these issues. Pule highlighted the 90-Day Programme of Action, which demonstrated the effectiveness of an integrated approach to service delivery. This model involves collaboration between government, NGOs, community-based groups, traditional leaders, and religious organizations.

The government's response to the GBVF crisis aligns with the broader national effort to address systemic gaps and expedite interventions. The activation of initiatives targets prevention, social cohesion, enforcement, care and support, legal frameworks, data collection, communication, partnerships, community mobilisation, and monitoring.

Children's perspectives were sought in the development of the National Strategy on Accelerated Action for Children (NSAAC), which emphasizes violence prevention and protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Children were consulted nationwide and advocated for a seventh pillar in the NSP-GBVF. Pule emphasized that children's participation is a fundamental right under international and South African law, and the National Strategy for Accelerating Action for Children ensures their active involvement in policy-making and public communication.