What will it take for children to thrive and reach their full potential?
UCT’S Children’s Institute has released the South African Child Gauge 2017, which explores what the country’s children need to survive and thrive.
Most are surviving, but too many are failing to thrive and achieve their full potential. This is costing the economy billions in lost human potential.
Investing in children – and particularly in violence prevention, networks of care, nutrition, education and inclusive services – will drive the next wave of social and economic transformation, boost gross domestic product and secure a more sustainable future for everyone.
Since 1994, child poverty has decreased and children’s survival and access to basic services have improved. But these changes are not enough to unlock the full potential of all children.
Violence, poverty, hunger and poor-quality education compromise children’s development and life chances – with a negative impact on the country’s development.
The theme of the 2017 issue – “Survive, Thrive, Transform” – echoes the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, which aims to end preventable deaths, ensure health and well-being, and expand enabling environments in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Adopted by South Africa and other member states in 2015, the SDGs set an ambitious agenda.
Lucy Jamieson, the Children’s Institute senior researcher and lead editor of the South African Child Gauge 2017, explains: “While the SDGs are a global agenda, their vision of intersectoral collaboration and inclusive development can help take South Africa forward – provided we start by investing in children.”
The SDGs’ focus on inclusion and equity resonates with the National Development Plan, says Jeff Radebe, the Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and chairperson of the National Planning Commission.
“The plan acknowledges that without addressing poverty and inequality, the democratic project remains unfinished. It also recommends interventions to unlock the potential in our children and allow South Africa to reap this demographic dividend by 2030.”
What will it take for children to thrive?
Lizette Berry, the Children’s Institute’s senior researcher and co-editor of the review, emphasises the importance of relationships in helping children thrive. “The extent to which children and adolescents experience responsive care impacts on their self-confidence, motivation and ability to form healthy relationships. Yet caregivers’ capacity to provide nurturing care is hampered by violence, poverty, social isolation and depression,” she says.
For these reasons, parents and caregivers need family support, parenting programmes, community-based services and practical support such as maternity leave, childcare and social assistance.
This 12th annual review of the situation of the country’s children is published by the Children’s Institute, UCT, in partnership with Unicef South Africa; the DG Murray Trust; the DST-NRF Centre for Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand; the Standard Bank Tutuwa Community Foundation; and the Programme to Support Pro-poor Policy Development in the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Makubalo is media liaison and social media assistant in the communication and marketing department at UCT.