Current
Current news
Very few mothers in South Africa exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life as recommended by the World Health Organisation – with only 1 in 4 babies exclusively breastfed by the time they are 4 – 5 months old. And these low exclusive breastfeeding rates contribute to the high prevalence of malnutrition, diarrhoea, pneumonia and under-five mortality in South Africa.
There are still 12 years to go before the UN sustainable development goals are finalised. For South Africa to meet the targets it must focus on providing evidence-based programmes for the most vulnerable and accelerate access to essential services.
Our overall evaluation is that South Africa has made significant progress with some targets. But it’s still lagging far behind with others.
Many South African children have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse before they turn 18. While reports of child sexual abuse usually engender moral outrage, physical abuse of children goes largely unnoticed, particularly when such abuse occurs in the home and is seen as ‘discipline’. As we approach this year’s Child Protection Week, it is critical to recognise the mounting social and economic costs of physical abuse of children to the country.
"Where fundamental human rights are violated, we as a society need to stand up particularly when the rights violation affects the most vulnerable members of our society." CI's Stefanie Röhrs writes about how violence against children is undermining the realisation of their human rights.
This review presents research evidence on child poverty in South Africa. It includes discussions on key concepts used in child poverty research, quantitative studies about child poverty in South Africa, and some of the keys issues around children and inequality. It also highlights some of the key studies that have focused on the Child Support Grant, an important poverty alleviation tool.
Child Death Reviews (CDRs) use an intersectoral approach to understand and prevent child deaths. This project has been implemented by the Children’s Institute in collaboration with the Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Cape Town for the Western Cape and the Forensic Pathology Services, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health for Kwa-zulu Natal.
The 2017 South African Early Childhood Review is now out! The review contains statistics on over 40 indicators covering the demography of young children (0 – 6 year olds), their living environments, and service delivery across various sectors.
"Congratulations on a fantastic year and for taking the CI to new heights!"
Prof Heather Zar (HOD, Paediatrics and Child Health)
Lucy Jamieson talks to SAFM's Sakina Kamwendo about the gaping hole in the State's response to violence against children. (May 9, 2018.)
Provincial consultations on the Children’s Third Amendment Bill are being held in August and September. We strongly encourage you to participate in the provincial consultations and to make written submissions on the Bill. Written submissions are due 10 September and should be send to Ms. Sarah Mabasa at SarahMaf@dsd.gov.za and Ms. Matlhogonolo Sebopela at Matlhogonolos@dsd.gov.za
A new research report by the Children's Institute documents how the child protection system handles reported cases of abuse and neglect.
Featured Publications
- BRIEFING PAPER
- RESEARCH REPORT
- RESEARCH REPORT
- LAW REVIEW
- EARLY CHILDHOOD REVIEW 2017
- HEALTH GUIDE
Shifting Attitudes and Behaviours Underpinning Physical Punishment of Children
The purpose of this briefing paper is to assist policy makers and practitioners to make informed decisions about interventions that could support the development and implementation of policies and programmes targeting physical punishment. This briefing paper presents evidence on largescale interventions that have been used to shift attitudes and behaviours underpinning physical punishment. In light of the paucity of evidence in relation to physical punishment, the briefing paper also presents evidence on the effectiveness of large-scale interventions targeting other forms of violence against children and intimate partner violence.Out of Harm's Way? Tracking Child Abuse Cases Through the Child Protection System at Five Selected Sites in SA
The study aims to document how the child protection system processes reported cases of child abuse, and make recommendations about how child protection services could be strengthened, to reduce the risk of trauma to children and breaking the inter-generational cycle of violence. In particular the study generates recommendations for the specific improvement of child protection services within the local setting.
Towards a More Comprehensive Understanding of the Direct and Indirect Determinants of Violence against Women and Children in South Africa with a View to Enhancing Violence Prevention.
The main objective of this report is to provide the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to Investigate the Root Causes of Violence Against Women and Children with a critical analysis of the risk and protective factors, or determinants, associated with violence (physical, sexual and emotional) against women and children in South Africa, as well as an indepth understanding of the relationship between the relevant variables, and to recommend practical violence reduction and prevention interventions.Policy Brief Series: Child Poverty (Early Childhood Development, Children and Violence)
This briefing paper summarises a review of research evidence on child poverty in South Africa. The review was initially undertaken in 2011, and was updated in 2017 to reflect more recent studies. It was commissioned by the Presidency’s Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD). The review includes both quantitative and qualitative studies, but is limited to research that focuses specifically on child poverty.South African Early Childhood Review 2017
Early childhood development (ECD) services are needed to support the development of young children. With commitment from government sectors to work together, an essential package of ECD services can be delivered to all South Africa’s young children. This review presents a set of indicators to support inter-sectoral planning, delivery and monitoring of an essential package of ECD services, from conception to the age of six.Children's Act Guide for Health Professionals
This guide is for people working in the health sector, and outlines the specific provisions of the Children’s Act that apply to health professionals. It explains the children's rights and principles that inform the Act and addresses difficult questions such as how to determine the best interests of the child, and whether consensual sex between adolescents should be reported. The guide also details the consent requirements for different health services, and explains what to do in an emergency, or in case of conflict between parents and the child. It informs health professionals of their mandatory obligations to report abuse and neglect and examines how to interpret these requirements in light of recent court judgements. This edition has been substantially updated and includes short cases from health professionals to assist with the interpretation of the Act.
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