“TowardsA South Africa Fit for Children”
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PRESENTATION :NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN (NPAC)
INTRODUCTION
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This presentation is on the Draft National Plan of Action for Children 2012 to 2017, which was developed by the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities
It is the review of the Plan developed in 1996.
The need and rationale for the review of 1996 National Plan of Action for Children was presented by, among others, changes in society, culture, technology and legal spheres
BACKGROUND
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South Africa became signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995 – As an obligation, she had to develop National Plan of Action for Children – which was done in 1996
The 1996 NPAC – was focusing on the core functions of key departments to provide services to children – not on what children need
The Reviewed 2012 - 2017 NPAC framework has been developed – embracing new legislation for children (local, regional and international)
Its focus is “The Child” as the central point of departure
Existing Government Plans
and Policies
National Development Plan –
VISION 2030
Constitution
UNCRC, ACRWC,UNCRDP
MDGs
The Making of a Plan for Children
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APPROACH
baseline information was collated on every issue and presented under every theme, to inform the implementation plan (e.g. child mortality - Child Survival)
government goals – have been used as a benchmark to inform programmes that are contributing in the achievement of government mandate towards children
objectives were set, based on a “SMART” principle broad national indicators were set to guide and track progress
during implementation possible strategies / programmes were suggested to achieve the
set objectives the roles of the lead and supporting departments in all sub-
themes were outlined
COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES
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1. CHILD SURVIVAL reduction of child mortality by ensuring that babies are
born healthy and stay alive; keeping children healthy by providing good nutrition for
them; ensuring that children living with HIV and AIDS live longer;
2. CHILD DEVELOPMENT
This area ensures that: all children grow, learn and develop to be the best persons that they can be: the need for stimulation of children; access to early childhood development; quality of education of children in schools;
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COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES (Cont)
disabled children and their access to education; children in rural and urban areas and access to services; children and the importance of creating opportunities for
play as a requirement for their development, etc.
3. PROTECTION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN
Keeping children safe and taking care of them: how to protect and support children who are victims of
abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence; protecting children from rape and sexual abuse; children who are orphans/without parents; (OVC)
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COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES (Cont)
children living on the streets; children who are in conflict with the law; child-headed families; children living in children’s homes/alternative care; The plight of refugee children, unaccompanied minor;
4. STANDARD OF LIVING OF CHILDREN IN S.A.
This area focuses on key services - to provide quality care to children:
taking care of children who are poor; Improving the conditions of accommodation/ shelter/
houses that children live in;
COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES (Cont)
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children’s access to clean water and hygiene; clean and safe cities, towns and communities; parks and recreational facilities for children; children receiving material support and food security
(social security)
5. CHILD PARTICIPATION participation in policy making in government, good
governance in different sectors and communities; children exercising their rights as guided by the
responsibilities that go with the rights
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
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Leadership: Cabinet - oversee translation of NPAC into Sectoral Policies and
Programmes; National Planning Commission and Dept. of Performance,
Monitoring and Evaluation – alignment
Coordination of Processes: DWCPD, NPAC Steering Committee and Ministerial Advisory
Council on Children
Advocacy and Mainstreaming: National and Provincial Depts., Municipalities, Civil Society and
Public
Child Participation: Ensuring that real needs of children are addressed; Monitoring
the implementation
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WORK DONE
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The NPAC structure was done with other departments
Workshops were organized for national and provincial departments, civil society, Children’s rights machinery and children themselves – inputs were consolidated
Had a meeting with a Team of Experts to refine the document on 19 April 2012
NPAC was tabled at the DGs meetings and inputs incorporated: - Social Cluster meetings on 13 June and 18 July 2012 - Governance and Administration Cluster meetings on 21 June
and 19 July 2012 - Justice Cluster meeting of 02 October 2012
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Child-Friendly NPAC developed - Inputs on 5 Nov 2011, National Children’s Day
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Continue to refine the documents based on inputs
Emerging issues of children, e.g. harmful cultural practices, mainstreaming of Early Childhood Development to all children, the spate of violence against children etc, to be considered as crucial
Final document to be circulated to HODs for endorsement
Release NPAC as public document during post the Cabinet approval
WAY FORWARD