Community called to protect rights and safety of children
CHILDREN travelling hundreds of kilometres during the holidays and over weekends to sell grass brooms in Brackenham, while taking shelter in public spaces overnight, has weighed heavily on the heart of human rights activist and women empowerment ambassador Sandra Naicker.
The community worker, who has known some of these children for over two years, is shattered by the plight of these youths who leave their households in northern KZN and come to Richards Bay to sell items to help support their families.
Facing the risk of being subjected to abuse, violence or becoming victims of crime, Naicker said families must be aware of the dangers of sending children far from the safety of their homes.
While she has helped support these youngsters with donations of hygiene care packs, clothing and food, she believes the families of these children can do more to protect them and keep them from unforeseen dangers.
“With the rise of social ills and abuse, violence and rape of young girls and women, parents and guardians need to ensure the safety of children and their right to be protected," she said.
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and need special protection.
“It's our shared responsibility as parents, families and communities to ensure all our children are safe from harm and grow up in nurturing environments.
“Children have the right not to be required or permitted to perform work or provide services that are inappropriate for a person of that child's age or that risk the child's well-being, education, physical or mental health, spiritual, moral or social development.
“The first two girls I met, a 15 year old and her sister who was about seven years old, were selling brooms without any adult supervision.
“I began buying the brooms so they had money to take back to their families, but this was not addressing the bigger problem of their safety.
“They have to fend for themselves while travelling and cannot use the money for transport but have to walk as far as they can and then take lifts.
“I have been engaging with social workers in the northern region to create awareness about these children, but we need parents and guardians to make their safety a priority," said Naicker.