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Newly launched: South African Child Gauge 2024

This 17th issue of the Child Gauge focuses attention on ECD, reflecting on progress since the adoption of the NIECD Policy, and setting an agenda for 2030.

New publication: Early Childhood Review 2024

The SA Early Childhood Review 2024 shows that the situation of young children has worsened in many ways. Now, there is an important window to change course.

Report: Review of child poverty and value of child support grant

Released in October 2023, read the full report or summary of "A Review of Child Poverty and the Value of the Child Support Grant". This research was commissioned by the Department of Social Development.

A highlight of the information provided inside the booklet.

CI and LRC create guide on applying for a child grant without a birth certificate or caregiver ID

Resource: We’ve created an easy guide that explains how to apply for a grant for a child that does not have a birth certificate, or if the caregiver does not have an ID.

Supporting street youth to be resilient

The research project Responsibilities for Resilience Embedded in Street Temporalities (2REST) has produced four new policy briefs related to violence reduction, livelihoods, health and basic needs.

A young adult who participated in the research project and the documentary, alongside a Mamelani staff member.

United and Unique documentary launch

Young adults from South Africa and Northern Ireland, who have experienced foster care or child and youth care centres, have co-produced a documentary that shares their insights into alternative care and leaving care, and hopes for change.

Group antenatal care toolkit is recognised as "excellent innovation"

The Group Care 1000 Toolkit, which we were the lead editors of, has gained recognition from the European Commission as an “excellent innovation”.

First page of article in the Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa

South African health professional associations urged to end commercial milk formula industry sponsorship

As part of our work on the commercial determinants of child health, we're calling on South African health professional associations to end commercial milk formula industry sponsorship.

Children's Institute in the news

Denied welfare, health care, the chance to go to school and play sport — hundreds of thousands are unable to get a birth certificate - Sunday Times, 22 June 2025
At least a quarter of a million people are trapped in legal and social limbo due to years-long delays in the processing of late birth registrations - SAFM Radio, 18 June 2025
Children's Institute tackles Home Affairs over birth registration delay - Cape Talk, 17 June 2025
Birth registration backlog violates constitutional rights - Business Day, 17 June 2025
Children's Institute takes Home Affairs to court over birth registration backlog - News24, 17 June 2025
Home Affairs has left a quarter of a million people waiting years for birth certificates - GroundUp, 17 June 2025
Redress mental healthcare for children and adolescents in South Africa - SAFM Radio, 13 March 2025
Opinion editorial: Government must take lead and work with civil society to make our communities safer for women, kids - Sowetan, 5 Dec 2024
South Africa is failing its youngest children – report flags critical gaps in early learning, social protection and health care - The Conversation, 11 Sept 2024