THE PROBLEM OF ABANDONMENT FOR THE FIRESIDE ENGAGEMENT

Tuesday 8 August 2017Women’s Prison, Constitution Hill

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ABANDONMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA: SOME IMPORTANT FACTS

• It iscommonlycitedthatabout3500childrenareabandonedannually(approximately300permonth)butthatfigureonlyincludessurvivors.Thetotalnumberofabandonmentsisfarhigher.

• FigurescompiledinGautengshowthatforeveryabandonedchildfoundalive,twoarefounddead.

• ArecentMedicalResearchCouncilstudyonchildhomiciderevealsthatchildren inSouthAfricaareatthehighestriskofunnaturaldeathinthefirstsixdaysoflife.

• Researchshowsthat65%ofabandonedchildrenarenewborns,and90%areundertheageofone.

• A largenumberofbabieshavealready surviveda late-termabortionprior tobeingabandoned.52-58%ofSouthAfrica’sabortionsareillegal(upto150000perannum),andinGauteng,studiesindicatethatuptohalfoftheseillegalabortions(whichareseldompoliced,andoftenunsuccessful)takeplaceinthethirdtrimester.

• 70%ofabandonmentsareunsafe.

• Manyabandonedbabiesareneverfound.

• SafeabandonmentisillegalinSouthAfricasoallofthecountry’sbabysafesoperateunlawfully.

• Girlsundertheageof18canconsenttoanabortion,butcannotplaceachildforadoptionwithouttheconsentofaparentorguardian.

• Foreignersfeardeportationiftheytrytoplaceachildforadoption.Otherslacktheformaldocumentationrequiredtoplacetheirchildrenintothechildprotectionsystem.

• AbandonmentisnolongerlistedasaviolentcrimeinSouthAfrica,orincludedincrimestatistics.NorisitlistedasacauseofdeathinSouthAfricanmortuaries.Thereisthereforenoaccuratetallyofhowmanychildrendieasaresultofabandonment.

• Todate,noformalresearchhasbeencompletedbythegovernmenttotrackabandonment,andnomeasuresputinplacetocounterit.

• Studiesshowthatabandonmentmostfrequentlyresultsfromdesperationduetopovertyandunemployment,thebreakdownofthefamily,HIV/AIDS,culturalbeliefs,rape, incest,“blessersorsugardaddies”andwomenthemselvesbeingabandonedbythechild’sfather.Governmentpolicyisalsoahugecontributingfactor,asisanti-adoptionsentimentonthepartofmanynursesandofficials.

Inconclusion,endemicproblemslikepovertyandabusearehardtoaddress,sochildabandonmentislikelytocontinuelong-term.But,changestogovernmentpolicy,suchasloweringtheageofconsentforadoptionplacement,facilitatingsafeabandonmentthrough the implementation of safe haven laws, and dealing with xenophobic policies regarding foreigners and barriers toadoptionwoulddefinitelysavelives;aswouldpolicing,especiallyofillegalabortionpractitioners.Inaddition,research,andlistingabandonmentincrimeandmortuarystatisticscouldhelptoquantifyandmanagetheproblem.Finally,pregnancyinitiativesareessentialtosupportvulnerablewomenandlessentheriskofthemmakingthetragicdecisiontoabandon.

FirstpublishedintheDailyMaverick,thearticlehighlightsthetragedyofillegallatetermabortionandabandonment

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A LETTER TO ABORTED TWINS

BY ROBYN WOLFSON VORSTER

To the aborted twins, we failed you because if you died in the womb, even on the cusp of birth, our law says you were not a person and that you have no legal rights. We failed you because if you were born alive, no one will ever know or care. Forensic pathology services will list you as a stillbirth, even though you took a breath, and the police will not classify you as a murder statistic or investigate your unnatural death.

DearInnocents,

Todaycouldhavebeenyourbirthday.Insteaditmarksamonthsinceyourmotherabortedyou,placedyouinaplasticbag,andleftyouundera“safeabortions”sign.NowIthinkaboutyoueveryday.Somanyquestionsremainunanswered:

Whydidyourmotherwaituntilshewaseightmonthspregnantbeforedecidingtoendyourlives?

Whatmadehersuddenlygiveup?

Didtheabortiondrugkillyou?Itdoesn’tkillthemajorityofbabiesatsuchalatestageofdevelopment.Wereyoubornalive?

Didshecrywhenshedeliveredyou?Whataboutwhensheputyouintheplasticbag?

Asyourlifeended,diditcomfortyoutofeelyoursister’sbodynexttoyoursasyouhadinthewomb?

TheyarequestionsIwillneverbeabletoanswer.WhatIdoknowisthatwefailedyou.Wefailedyoubecauseweallowedyourmothertoliveinpoverty,desperationandviolence.Wefailedyoubecausewedidn’tletherknowthatshehadoptions:thatshedidn’thavetoabortyou,thattherewerearmsachingtoholdyou—armsthatachestill.Wefailedyoubecausewehaveallowedthestigmaofadoptiontoremainunchallenged.Wefailedyoubecauseyourmotherwasnotlegallypermittedtoabandonyousafely.Wefailedyoubecausewedidn’tpolicethepeoplewhoillegallysoldyourmothertheabortiondrug,becausetheyareallowedtocarryout“safeabortions”withimpunity—safeforwhom,Iask?

Wefailedyoubecauseifyoudiedinthewomb(evenonthecuspofbirth),ourlawsaysyouwerenotapersonandthatyouhavenolegalrights.Wefailedyoubecauseifyouwerebornalivenoonewilleverknoworcare:forensicpathologyserviceswilllistyouasa“stillbirth”eventhoughyoutookabreath,andthepolicewillnotclassifyyouasamurderstatisticorinvestigateyour“unnaturaldeath”.

We failedyoubecausenoonewillbeprosecuted foryourdeath:notyourmother (ifshe ischargedatall, itwillonlybe forconcealmentofbirthandsofar,onlyonepersonhasbeenprosecutedforthatcrime),northeabortionpractitioners.Inourlaw,theyareguiltyofillegallydispensingmedicine,not,apparently,foryourdeath.Aboveall,wefailedyoubecauseourgovernment,taskedwithyourcare,turnedablindeyetoillegalabortionandabandonment,anddoessostill.

Dear innocents,wefailedyouandnothingwedocanbringyouback.But,yourdeathsdidnotpassunnoticedlittleones.Wecannotcontinuetofailthemanyothersthatwillfollowafteryou.Nexttimewemustdobetter.Ifso,maybeyourappallingandsenselessdeathswillfinallyhavesomemeaning.

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TOPIC ONECRISIS AND TEEN PREGNANCY: HOW TO UPHOLD THE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS

OF VULNERABLE WOMENFacilitator:DrBusiMkwananzi:Researcherandexpertonteenpregnancy

Facts about teen pregnancy:

• Teenagepregnanciesresultin80,000unplannedbabiesannually.

• Morethan179000teenagerswerepregnantin2013,ofthesegirls,2903wereonly13yearsold.

• InSouthAfrica,30%offemaleswillhaveexperiencedateenpregnancybytheageof20.

• Thephenomenonhasadversehealth,socialandeconomicconsequencesforbothmotherandchildmakingitacriticalissuerequiringurgentaddress.

• Researchshowsthat incidenceofpregnancyamong15-19yearolds is15timeshigher thanthatof12-14yearolds. Forwomenagedbetween15and19,statisticsshowthatthereare50birthsper1000women.

• Girlsunder18mayconsenttoanabortionwithouttheconsentofaparentorguardian.However,theymaynotplaceachildforadoptionuntiltheyare18.

• Theimpactofateenpregnancy:

• Ontheteenagemotherincludemorbidity,mortalityandlowfutureprospects.

• Onthechildrenincludepoorerhealth,socialandeconomicoutcomes.

Factors resulting in a teen pregnancy include:

• Loweducationlevels&lowsocio-economicstatus

• Household(HH)factors–includinglargehouseholdsizeandlowhouseholdsocioeconomicstatus

• Communityfactorsincludingculture,genderinequalityandstereotyping.

Recommendations for all crisis pregnancies:

• Sexeducationcoupledwithcontraceptiveavailability.

• Sensitivityofnursesatclinicstosupportyoungwomenwithcontraceptivesandoptioncounselling.

• Optioncounsellingsupport.

Recommendations re teen pregnancies:

• Teenagepregnancypreventionprogrammesneedtotargetgirlsatyoungerages.Suchprogrammesshouldpreferablyoccurattheprimaryschoollevelandaimtoempowerandassistyoungerfemalestocurballformsofinfringementontheirsexualandreproductivehealthrights.

• Programmesneedtobesetupforchildrengrowingupwithoutoneorbothparentstoensurefatherandmotherfiguresarepresentinsuchchildren’slives,andifabsent,pairedupwithscreenedsuitable“substitute”parentfigures.The“substitute”parentwouldactasasourceofsupport,love,validationandencouragementtodecreaseagirl-child’svulnerabilityofidealisingolder‘father-figure’partners,andtolowerherpredispositiontodelinquencyduringadolescence.

• Serviceinaccessibilityiscloselylinkedtoteenpregnancy.Usingserviceinaccessibilityresults,wecanidentifyareasthataremorepronetoteenagepregnancyandensurethattheyaretargetedfor interventionprogramsagainstthisphenomenon.Programmesneed to focuson theprovisionofbasicserviceandpovertyalleviation toensureany riskdue to lowsocio-economicstatusiseradicated.

• Resultsoncommunityunemploymenthighlighttheneedofcreativewaystomonitorandsupervisechildren,especiallyduringadolescence. It is imperativethatgovernmentandNGOsbeginsupervisedafter-schoolprogrammesfor learnersuptothematriculationyear.Theseprogrammescouldensurethatchildrenareassistedwithhomework,encouragedtoplaysportsandexposedtoextra-curricularactivitiessuchasdrama,ballroomdancing,chess,debatingclubs,calligraphy,artsandcrafts,flowerarranging, interiordesigning,eventdecor,computerskills,musical instrument training,ballet,culturaldancing,etc.Theseactivitieswouldbemostbeneficialinenvironmentswhereteenslackrecreationhalls,publicsportsfacilitiesandotherresources.Unemployedmembersofthepubliccouldbetrainedandemployedtofacilitateinsuchcentresdecreasingtheproblemofyouthloiteringaswellascreatingemployment.

Questions:

1. Whatprogrammescouldbesetuptodecreaselevelsofvulnerabilityamongwomen?

2. Howcouldbusinessandgovernmentwork together tocombat thecontextual factorsassociatedwithcrisisand teenagepregnancy?

3. Howcanawarenessandeducationcampaignsbesupportedandmaderelevant?

4. Whichpoliciesneedgreaterreinforcementtoupholdthesexualandreproductivehealthrightsofwomen?

5. Howcouldtheprivatesectorandgovernmentassistfurtherinfinancingresearchforthiscriticalarea?

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TOPIC TWOILLEGAL LATE ABORTION: MANAGING THE PROBLEM AND POLICING THE PRACTITIONERS

Facilitator:RobynWolfsonVorster:ChildProtectionAdvocateandJournalist

Key facts about illegal late term abortion:

• AccordingtoMarieStopes,between52-58%ofSouthAfrica’sabortionsareillegal(upto150000perannum).

• ResearchcarriedoutinGautengindicatestouptohalfoftheseabortionstakeplaceinthethirdtrimesterwhenthebabyisalreadyviable.

• Illegalabortionpractitionersareusuallycriminalswho illegallyprovidedrugs likeCytotec (aschedule4drugused for thetreatment of ulcers, but with a known side effect of producing uterine cramps) to bring on premature labour (or in lesssophisticatedareas,makewomendrinkchemicals).

• Abortionpractitionersdonotverifytheageofthefoetus,noristheviabilityofthefoetusaconsiderationtotheirsaleofthedrugs.Somepractitionersevenadvertisethattheyoffertheservicetowomenwhoareupto38weekspregnant.

• Womenareinstructedtotakethedrugs(orallyorvaginally)andthenfainamiscarriageatalocalhospital.Theyaresometimestoldthatthebaby“willdissolve”orbe“flushedaway”.

• Babiesoftensurvivetheabortionprocess.Theyarebornalive,onlytobeabandoned;ortodiefromprematurity,theeffectsoftheabortiondrugsorevenfrommurderatthehandsofshockedanddesperatemothers(orfamilymembers),appalledatbeingfacedwithalivingbaby.

• Babiesthatsurvivealatetermabortionoftenexperienceseriouspsychologicalandphysicalchallenges,learningdifficultiesandbehaviouralproblems,aswellaschronicconditionslikecerebralpalsyandADHD.OneofthebabiesrecentlyplacedatDoorofHopeweighsonly830g.

• Whilemanyof thesechildrenareadopted (usuallyoverseaswhere familiesaremoreopen toadoptingadisabledchild),thosethatremainoftenspendtheirchildhoodinChildandYouthCareCentres(CYCCs)atgreatexpensetotheCYCCandgovernment.

The law and illegal late term abortion:

• Accordingtothelaw,ababyisonlyaliveifithasbeenbornandtakenabreath.Forthisreason,ifamotherabortsherbaby(eventhedaybeforeitisduetobeborn),hercrimeisaviolationoftheTerminationofPregnancyAct.Ifthatsamemotherkillsherbabyafterithasbeenbornandhastakenabreath,shemaybechargedwithmurder.

• Illegalabortionpractitionerscannotbepolicedunlessthepolicereceiveacomplaint.

• Ifillegalabortionpractitionersarepoliced,itisonlyforviolatingtheTerminationorPregnancyActorforthecrimeofillegallydispensingmedicine.But,theDepartmentofHealthhasnojurisdictionoverthesepractitionersbecausetheyarenotlicencedtodispensemedicine.

• IfillegalabortionpractitionersarecaughtandprosecutedundertheTerminationofPregnancyAct,themaximumsentenceis10yearsimprisonment.

Questions:

1. Whydoyouthinkillegalabortionissuchaprobleminthiscountry?

2. Whoseresponsibilityshoulditbetopreventorpolicethem?

3. Whatcanthefollowinggroupsdotopreventorpolicetheproblem: • Government(whoandwhat)? • SAPS • Legislators

4. Istherearoleforbusinessinfindingandmaintainingasolution?

5. Istherearoleforbusinessincaringforthesurvivors?

6. Willpolicingillegalabortionpractitionersleadtoincreasedabandonment?

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TOPIC THREEVIOLENCE, GENDER AND THE ECONOMY

Facilitators:LisaVetten:MellonDoctoralFellowoftheWitsCityInstitute,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand &DrZubedaDangor,theDirectoroftheNisaaInstituteforWomen’sDevelopment

Facts about gender violence:

• Violenceisgendered–meaningthatmenandwomendonotexperiencethesameformsofviolence,orperpetrateitatthesamerates.

• DomesticviolenceisthemostcommonformofviolenceexperiencedbySouthAfricanwomen,whilemostformsofsexualviolencearealsofarmorelikelytobeexperiencedbywomenratherthanmen.

• ThegenderedstructureofSouthAfrica’seconomyplaysaroleinwomen’sexperienceofviolence,aswellastheiraccesstohelpingresources.

• Datafromasoon-to-be-releasednationalstudyofreportedrapeestimatedthat60%ofadultcomplainantswereunemployed.Thisisdoubletheproportionofunemployedwomenrecordedbythecensusin2011(29.8%).

• Likeelsewhereintheworld,SouthAfricanwomenearnlessthantheirmalecounterparts,aswellashavinghigherratesofunemployment.Thesegenderedfeaturesoftheeconomyplacewomeninstructuralrelationsofeconomicdependencyuponmen;beinginarelationshipcanbeasmuchamattereconomicnecessity,asitisofromanticchoice.Butthisdependencymakeswomenvulnerabletoabuseandentrapstheminabusiverelationships.

• Workplacesneedtoattendtodomesticviolence. Itaffectswomen’sability toworkbecausetheymayrequiretimeoff toattendlegalproceedings,ortheirworkmayevenbesabotagedbytheirpartners.Colleaguescanalsobethreatenedbytheabusivepartner.Violenceagainstwomenthusentailscoststotheeconomy.

• Domestic violence is implicated inwomen’shomelessness inat least twoways: theymaybemadehomeless toescapeviolence;and, ifhomeless,maybeforcedtoenter intoviolentrelationshipsinordertoobtainsomewheretosleep.Policyinthisregardiscurrentlynotadequateanddoesnotrecogniseoraddresstherelationshipbetweenhousinganddomesticviolence.

• Domesticviolencesheltersarenotadequatelysupported,includingtheirprogrammesintendedtosupportwomen’seconomicdependence.Thecorporatesectorisplayingaminimalroleinaddressingthis.

Recommendations / Key questions for discussion:

1. WeinviteSheEOstoundertakeaSleepOut™ateveryshelterinthecountry.Thiswouldgivethemachancetomeetwomenandstaffandunderstandwhatisneededtosupportwomentoleaveabusiverelationships,aswellashowtokeepsheltersrunningeffectively.

2. WeinviteSheEOstohelpdeveloptheroleofthecorporatesectorinaddressingdomesticviolence.Whatcouldtheyofferintermsoftraining,learnerships/internshipsandopportunitiestogainworkexperience?VerylittleCSIfindsitswaytoinitiativesaddressingviolenceagainstwomen.Howcanthisbechanged?

3. Whatneedstobedonetoensurethatdecision-makersunderstandthatdomesticviolenceisahousingissuethatrequiresrecognitioninhousingpolicy?

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TOPIC FOURFOREIGN AND UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN AND MOTHERS, AND THEIR RIGHT TO SUPPORT

Facilitator:TaliaMagnes:SocialWorkerImpilo

Facts about foreign or undocumented mothers and children:

• InSouthAfrica,thereareahighnumberofchildrenandmotherswhoareundocumented/foreign.Authoritieshavenoideahowmany,butitisalreadyconsideredanationalcrisis(atarecentconferenceonUndocumentedChildren,theMECforSocialDevelopmentinGautengdescribedtheproblemasahumanitarianemergency).

• Thesenumbersareplacingstrainonthechildprotectionsystem.

• Thesystemisnotacknowledgingtheproblemandispunitive:HomeAffairs’solutionisarrestanddeportation.

• Thesechildrenandtheirmothershavenoaccesstobasicservicesandresourcessuchaseducation,health,legalsystemandsocialgrants,althoughmanyoftheserightsareguaranteedundertheconstitutionandtheChildren’sAct.

• Undocumentedorforeignchildrenandmothersdonotknowtheirrights.

• Manyforeignmothersarenotabletosafelyplacetheirchildrenintothechildprotectionsystembecausetheydon’thaveavalidformofidentification.

• Fearofbeingarrestedanddeportedresultsinsomeforeignmothersbelievingthattheironlyoptionistoabandontheirchild(oftenanonymouslyandunsafely).

• No formalstatisticsareavailable toshowwhywomenhaveabandonedtheirchildren,but theperceptionamongstsomegovernmentofficialsthatallabandonedbabiesareforeignisuntrue.

• Childrenborntoforeignmothers(regardlessofiftheywereborninSouthAfrica,andoftenregardlessofifthefatherisSouthAfrican)aredeemedtobeforeign,andissuedwithhandwrittenbirthcertificates.ThismeansthattheycannotbeadoptedinSouthAfrica.

Recommendations:

• LinkingourresponsibilitiestotheUN/UNICEF/AUandSArightsandconstitutionalresponsibilities.Thatis,toplacechildrenintofamilies,ratherthanchildren’shomes.

Questions:

1. Whatcanthefollowingdotolessentheproblemofforeign/undocumentedmothersandchildren: • Government(whoandwhat) • Businessandcivilsociety • Legislators

2. Whatoptionscanbeprovidedtoforeignmotherswhoarenotabletoraisetheirchildren?

3. ShouldforeignwomenwhosechildrenareborninSouthAfricabeallowedtoplacetheirchildrenforadoptioninthiscountry?Whyorwhynot?

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TOPIC FIVEUNSAFE ABANDONMENT AND THE NEED FOR A SAFE HAVEN LAW

Facilitators:WhitneyRosenberg:Lawlectureranddoctoralstudentinchildabandonment &NadineGrabham:OperationsDirectorDoorofHopeBabyHome

Facts about abandonment and the need for safe abandonment:

• Itiscommonlycitedthatabout3500childrenareabandonedannually(approximately300permonth),butthatfigureonlyincludessurvivors.Thetotalnumberofabandonmentsisfarhigher.

• Estimatesareforeveryabandonedbabythatsurvives,twodie.Inotherwords,twoofeverythreeabandonedbabiesdie.

• Forthisreason,arecentMedicalResearchCouncilstudyonchildhomiciderevealsthatchildreninSouthAfricaareatthehighestriskofunnaturaldeathinthefirstsixdaysoflife.

• Researchshowsthat65%ofabandonedchildrenarenewborns,and90%areundertheageofone.

• 70%ofbabiesareabandonedinunsafesitesincluding,toilets,drains,gutters,refusebins,rubbishdumps,andopenveld.

• Manyabandonedbabiesareneverfound.

• SafeabandonmentisillegalinSouthAfrica,soallofthecountry’sbabysafesoperateunlawfully.

• RecentcasesinvolvingamotherabandoningherchildinataxiandanotherplacingachildoutsideofaPlaceofSafetyhaveresultedincriminalinvestigations.Inthecaseofthemotherfromthetaxi,chargeswerelaidandsheappearedincourt.CCTVfootageofmothersafelyabandoningherchildoutsideaplaceofsafetyresultedinherimagebeingpublishedonthepinkladiesmissingpersonsalertandinthepolicedistributingherpicture.

• Bycontrast,womenwhoabandonunsafelyareveryseldomprosecuted.Iftheyareprosecuted,itisusuallyforconcealmentofbirthnotforattemptedmurderormurder.

• Authoritiesareunwillingtoallowsafeabandonmentbecauseofthelossofcultureandbecausetheyareconcernedthatitwillencouragegreaternumbersofwomentoabandon.

• However, researchers in South Africa argue that the opposite of safe abandonment is unsafe abandonment, not noabandonment.

Legislation governing abandonment:

• ThecurrentChildren’sActof2005,section305,whichdealswithoffences,statesthattheparent,guardianorotherpersonhaving parental rights and responsibilities, care-giver, or person who voluntarily cares for a child whether indefinitely,temporarilyorpartially is guiltyof anoffence if thatparentor care-giverorotherperson—subsection (3)(b)—abandonsthechild.Furthermore,thispersonmaybeheldliableasexpressedinsubsection(6)and(7)toafineorimprisonmentnotexceedingtenor20yearsrespectivelyortobothafineandimprisonment.

• ThecrimeofabandonmentisalsomentionedintheGeneralLawAmendmentAct46of1935,section113(asamendedbytheJudicialMattersAmendmentActof2008)definesthedisposingofthebodyofanewborn,eventhoughitisnotproventhatthechildinquestiondiedbeforeitsbodywasdisposedof,asthecrimeofconcealmentofbirth.Mothersfaceconvictionofafineorimprisonmentnotexceedingthreeyears.

• Section233(1)oftheChildren’sActprovidesthatachildmaybeadoptedonlyifconsentfortheadoptionhasbeengivenby-

o (a)eachparentofthechild,regardlessofwhethertheparentsaremarriedornot:Providedthat,iftheparentisachild,thatparentisassistedbyhisorherguardian.

• Asopposedtosection5oftheChoiceonTerminationofPregnancyActwhichallowsaminortogetanabortionwithouttheconsentofherparentsorguardian.

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TOPIC FIVEUNSAFE ABANDONMENT AND THE NEED FOR A SAFE HAVEN LAW

Facilitators:WhitneyRosenberg:Lawlectureranddoctoralstudentinchildabandonment &NadineGrabham:OperationsDirectorDoorofHopeBabyHome

Across the globe:

• Rulingsfromcasesacrosstheworldhaveestablishedthattherighttolifetakesprecedenceovertherighttoidentity.

o Fixatingexclusivelyonrespectingtherightofthechildtoknowhisorherparentswithoutconsideringthecircumstanceswillleadtoviolationoftherighttolife.

o Ifthechildcannotsurvivethentherighttoknowhisorheroriginscanneitherbeclaimednorprotected.

o Babyhatchesgivechildrentherighttolifeandfornewborns,survivalismoreimportantthantherighttoknowandbecaredforbyhisorherparents.

o Inprinciple, the rightof achild toknowhisorherorigins shouldbegivenahigherpriority than theparent’s right toanonymity.However,wheredisclosingtheparent’sidentitycouldleadtoabortion,infanticideorunsafeabandonment,theparent’sanonymityshouldbeupheld.

• Safehaven laws thathavebeenadopted inothercountriesallowwomen toabandonachildsafelyandanonymously, inparticularinsafespaceslikehospitalsorpolicestations.Thechildcanbeplacedintocare,andthereisnoriskofprosecutionforthemother.

o USAsafehavenlaws ChildprotectionadvocatesrecommendthatSouthAfricainstitutesafehavenlawstolessenthenumberofchildrendying

asaresultofunsafeabandonment.

Questions:

1. WhatarethesolutionstochildabandonmentinSouthAfrica?

2. ShouldSouthAfricaenactsafehavenlawssimilartoothercountries?

3. Doesanabandonedchildhavetherighttoknowhisorherbiologicalorigins?

4. Wouldsafehavenlawsdecreasethenumberofunsafeabandonments?

5. Rulingsfromcasesacrosstheworldhaveestablishedthattherighttolifetakesprecedenceovertherighttoidentity.WillthiseverbeacceptedinSouthAfrica?

6. Ifnot,whatcanwedotoensurethatbabieswhoareabandonedsafelycanstillaccessinformationabouttheirbirthfamilies?

7. Dobabybinsencouragewomentoabandontheirbabies?Inotherwords,ifsafeabandonmentbecomeslegal,willthenumberofabandonmentsincrease?

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TOPIC SIXHIGH LEVEL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADOPTION

AS A CHILD PROTECTION STRATEGYFacilitator:SueKrawitz:DirectorImpiloChildProtection&AdoptionServices,ViceChairNationalAdoptionCoalition

Facts about adoption:

• SouthAfricahas3millionorphans,ofwhichupto1.2millionarematernalordoubleorphans.

• Inaddition,womeninthecountryexperiencetensofthousandsofcrisispregnanciesannually.Inmanyinstances,themothersarenotabletoraisetheirbabies.

• Atanygiventime,thereareabout550childrenregisteredontheRegisterofAdoptableChildrenandParents(RACAP)andawaitingadoption.

• Estimatesarethatthereare21,000childrenlivingin355registeredChildandYouthCareCentresacrossSouthAfricaandabout2,000livingin115unregisteredones.

• Despitethisneed,adoptionnumbersdeclinedby50%,from2840to1448,between2004and2014.

• In2016,only1165adoptionstookplace,afurther30%dropfrom2014.

• Up to80%of those1165adoptions in2016wereprobably familyadoptions (meaning that less than300wereunrelatedadoptions).

• InKwa-ZuluNatal(theprovincewiththelargestnumberoforphans),only8adoptionstookplacein2016.

Whenfacedwiththesechallenges,theNationalAdoptionCoalitionofSouthAfricawouldliketoachievethefollowing:

• Intersectoralcollaborationtostreamlinetheadoptionprocessandtodevelopabettersynergyinthecollaboration,thatwillpreventunnecessarydelays,stumblingblocksetc.(DHA,Justice,SocialDevelopmentetc).

• CollaborationbetweenDSDandadoptioncommunitytoraiseawareness,todialogue,debateanddevelopbetterinsightintochildren’sneedstopermanency,importanceofearlyattachment,cultureandsoforth.

• Theestablishmentofprogrammesthatwillensurethefastestandmostefficientreferralofpotentiallyadoptablechildren(young,orphanedandabandoned)torelevantpractitioners,topreventthatthesechildrenendupinchildprotectionsystemforlengthyperiods.

• Specialisedandstandardisedtrainingofsocialworkersinthisfield.

• Politicalwillandcommitment toacknowledge the importanceofadoptionasa formofalternative familycareandasanintegratedpartofchildprotection.

• Postadoptionsupportforadoptiveparents,birthmothersandchildren.

Questions:

1. GiventhatadoptionisanintegralpartofthechildprotectionsysteminSouthAfrica,whydoyouthinkadoptionnumbersaresolow?

2. WhataretheculturalissuesinSouthAfricathataffectadoptionandhowdoesunbuntuplayitselfoutwithregardtoadoption?

3. Whatcanbedonetorectifytheproblem?

4. HowdowecreateownershipoftheadoptionprocessandoutcomebySouthAfricansofallraces?

5. Howcanadoptioncontributetothefutureofourcountry?Whatistheimpactonourcountrybeifadoptionisnolongerpartofourchildprotectionsystem?

6. Howcanbusiness:

o Supportadoptionasasolutionforthechildrenofourcountrywhoareabandonedorneedpermanenthomes

o Assistwithpromotingtheagendaoftheadoptioncommunity.

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Dr Sibusiso Mkwananzi

DrBusiMkwananziisanassociatelecturerandPhDstudentwithintheDemographyandPopulationStudiesProgramme.SheisaqualifieddentistandholdsaMastersinEpidemiologyandBiostatisticsfromtheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand.Busi’sPhDresearchinvestigatessocialdisorganisation-rootedcontextualfactorsassociatedwithteenagepregnancyinSouthAfrica.Herotherresearchinterestsincludesexualandreproductivehealth,youth-relatedstudiesanddevelopment.SheisacurrentfellowoftheSouthAfricanHumanitiesDeans’Association(SAHUDA)andapreviousrecipientoftheNationalResearchFoundationInnovationandScarceSkillsFellowship,OppenheimerMemorialTrustFoundationandWitsUniversityPostgraduateMeritScholarships.Busidesires tocontribute to thedevelopmentof thirdworldnations,especially inAfrica throughpioneeringresearch.Sheenjoystravelling,listeningtomusicandreading.

Robyn Wolfson Vorster

RobynhasdegreesinSocialSciencesandHumanResourceDevelopment.Aspecialistinwrittenandverbalcommunications(including training and facilitation) she spent fifteen years consulting in strategic business development and managing theimplementationofsolutionsinthecorporatesectorandgovernment.In2012,afteradoptingherdaughter,sheleftthecorporatesectortofocusonchildprotectionandadoptionadvocacy.Shenowspecialisesinresearching,speakingandwritingaboutchildprotectionandadvocatingforchangestolegislationandpolicy.Robynhaswrittenextensivelyaboutadoption,abandonment,latetermabortion,childhomicide,thechallengesexperiencedbyforeignersandthecrisisinwelfareNGOs,fortheDailyMaverickandotherpublications,includingtheBusinessDay.Shealsoprovidesexpertinputonthetopicsfortelevisionandradio.

RobynlivesinJohannesburgwithherhusbandandtwobeautifulchildren,Luke(10)andAsha(5).Inhersparetime,shelikestoread,takephotographsandtellstoriestochildren.

Lisa Vetten

LisaVettenbeganworkingasalaycounsellorforPeopleOpposingWomenAbuse(POWA)in1991.Sincethenshehasaccumulatedextensivecounselling,para-legalandtrainingexperienceinthefieldofviolenceagainstwomen,aswellasundertakenarangeofstudiesonthetopic.Shehascompilednumeroussubmissionsaroundlawandpolicyapplicabletoviolenceagainstwomenandengagedwithparliamentinthisregard.In2005,sheformedpartoftheUNExpertGroup’sMeetingonGoodpracticesincombatingandeliminatingviolenceagainstwomen.Shehasalsoworkedasatechnicaladvisertovariousgovernmentdepartmentsonthedevelopmentofpolicyaddressingviolenceagainstwomen,includingtheDepartmentofHealth,theDepartmentofJusticeandConstitutionalDevelopmentandtheCivilianSecretariatforPolice(CSP).Shecurrentlyactsonapart-timebasisastheTechnicalAssistanttotheHigherEducationAIDS(HEAIDS)programmeoftheDepartmentofHigherEducationandTraining,andistaskedwithdraftinganationalpolicyframeworktoaddressgender-basedviolenceinthepost-schoolsector.Between2013and2015shewasagenderspecialistonviolenceagainstwomenappointedtotheCommissionforGenderEquality(CGE)intermsofsection6oftheCGEAct.

ShehasaMaster’sdegreeinPoliticalStudiesfromtheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand(cumlaude)focusingonlegislationandpolicy addressing domestic violence. Her dissertation has been accepted for publication as a book by the Human SciencesResearchCouncil(HSRC)Press.SheiscurrentlyaPhDcandidateinthePsychologydepartmentatthesameuniversity.

HerdoctorateaimstoprovideacriticalhistoryofresponsestorapeinSouthAfricafrom1976onward.MsVetten’sresearchhasbeenpublishedinpeer-reviewedjournalssuchasSouthAfricanCrimeQuarterly,GenderandDevelopment,BMCWomen’sHealth,Agenda,FeminismandPsychology,theSouthAfricanJournalofHumanRightsandPLoSMedicine.

MsVettenisaMellonDoctoralFellowoftheWitsCityInstitutebasedattheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

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Dr Zubeda Dangor

ZubedaDangoristheexecutivedirectoroftheNisaaInstituteofWomen’sDevelopmentandhasworkedextensivelyinthefieldofgenderviolence.ZubedahasservedontheeditorialboardsofLolaPressaninternationalwomen’smagazineaswellastheWomen’sHealthProjectBookandReclaimingWomen’sSpaces,aNisaapublication.Shehasbeeninstrumentalinestablishingtwosheltersforwomenandchildrenaffectedbygenderviolence.ShewasalsoinstrumentalininitiatingtheNationalShelterMovementandnowservesontheexecutiveoftheNationalShelterMovement.ShehastaughtacourseongenderviolenceandcommunitydevelopmentforMastersstudentsattheUniversityofJohannesburg.Inaddition,shehasconductedextensivetrainingongenderandgenderviolenceandcontinuestoofferconsultingservicesongender,genderviolenceandorganizationaldevelopment. Dr.DangorisaclinicalpsychologistwithaPhdinPsychology;herPhdthesishasbeenpublishedintoabookentitledLifeAfterAbuse:An Exploration ofWomen’s Strategies for OvercomingAbuse. She received a post graduate scholarship through theInstituteforInternationalEducationtostudyattheUniversityofNotreDameintheUnitedStates. In2006,shereceivedaninternationalCommunityServiceawardfromSouthAfricanWomenforWomenbasedinToronto,Canada.In2016,shereceivedanawardfromtheSBSMschoolinLenasiaforoutstandingservicetothecommunity.

Whitney Rosenberg

WhitneyRosenbergcompletedherLLBdegreein2010andwentontocompleteherMastersdegreeincontractuallawin2011.SheisanadmittedattorneyoftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica.Shehassincegoneontopursueherdoctorateinthelawsregulatinginfantabandonmentandtheinvestigationtoasafealternativetounsafeabandonment.Thistopicisveryclosetoherheart.Sheisalecturerof‘lawofpersonsandthefamily’attheUniversityofJohannesburgandwaspromotedtothissubjectafterhavinglecturedCommercialLawfor2years.WhitneyisalsoayouthleaderinhercommunityandchairsasSecretaryonherchurchboard. She has obtained a Goethe Institute certificate for GermanA level language proficiency. She is married to her lovinghusbandof5yearswhoownsamarketingagencyinJohannesburg.Whitneyisalsoananimalloverandmomtotwopups.Shelovestotravelandenjoystheoutdoors.

Nadene Grabham

NadeneGrabhamhasabackgroundisfinance.SheworkedasaforexdealeronthedealingfloorforStandardCorporateandInvestmentBankingfor20years.HerclientsincludedlargecorporateslikeMTN,BarlowsandAECI.In2011,shejoinedDoorofHopeasavolunteer. InJulyofthesameyear,shewasofferedapermanentpositionasBabyHomeManager.Shewasthenpromoted to General Manager and in 2016, became the Operations Director of the organisation. Nadene’s work is diverse,includingspendinghoursinEmergencyinGovernmenthospitalstakingcareofsickanddyingabandonedbabies.ShehasassistedwiththepreparationofmanyadoptionsandnowoverseethedaytodayrunningofDoorofHope’sthreeBabyHomesandcaringforthehealthanddevelopmentofalloftheorganisation’sbabies.

Sue Krawitz

SusanKrawitzgraduatedfromUniversityoftheWitwatersrand1982withaBAHonsSocialWork.Shehasworkedinthefieldofadoptionsince1988.SheinitiallyworkedasanadoptionsocialworkerinprivatepracticebeforefoundingImpiloChildProtectionandAdoptionServices in2003. She isboth theFoundingMemberandDirector. Shehasbeen involvedwithSouthAfricanAssociation of SocialWorker’s in Private practice and served on the board. She is also a Founding Member ofThe NationalAdoptionCoalition.ShehasservedastheChairpersonandiscurrentlythevicechair.Sueispassionateaboutallaspectsofadoption.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES