South African Child Gauge 2009/2010 This collection of papers focused on the theme 'Healthy children: From survival to optimal development' can be used for independent study/research or for integration into child development curriculum. The South African Child Gauge is produced annually by the Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town to monitor government and civil society’s progress towards realising the rights of children. This issue focuses on child health. The South African Child Gauge is divided into three parts: PART ONE: Children and law reform Part one discusses recent legislative developments affecting child health. In this issue there is commentary on the Children’s Act, the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, provincial health legislation, Tobacco Products Control Amendment Acts, regulations to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and new regulations to the Social Assistance Act. PART TWO: Healthy children: From survival to optimal development Part two presents a series of 12 essays. Essays one and two set the scene by examining children’s rights to health and the status of child health in South Africa. Then come three essays that look at key health challenges and how to address them: HIV and TB; malnutrition; mental health and risk behaviour. These are followed by four essays that examine how to strengthen the health care system’s response to childhood illness and injury. This includes defining a package of basic health care services; managing resources and building capacity; providing child- and family-friendly services; and strengthening community-based pro-grammes. The next essay shows how the roots of childhood illness and injury often lie outside the health care system, and calls for concerted action to address the social determinants of health. Two further essays point the way forward. In the first, the Minister of Health describes his vision for child health in South Africa. The second draws on the findings presented in the earlier essays to outline recommendations for a system and a society that support child health. PART THREE: Children Count – the numbers Part three updates a set of key indicators on children’s socio-economic rights and provides commentary on the extent to which these rights have been realised. The indicators are a special subset selected from the website www.childrencount.ci.org.za.
'Overview of the Palliative Care Service at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, C...Irish Hospice Foundation
'Overview of the Palliative Care Service at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin' (Presentation at the Maternity and Neonatal Network Meeting, April 2015) [MNN 12]
The document discusses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which outlines the basic human rights that all children are entitled to. It summarizes 10 key articles that address children's rights to protection from discrimination, access to healthcare, education, family life, protection from abuse and exploitation, and the right to an environment that allows for their development. The concluding paragraphs note that many children still face issues like malnutrition, neglect, child labor, and abuse, and calls readers to learn about children's rights and help protect them.
This document is a report on the implementation of children's rights in the Republic of Macedonia prepared by the Macedonian National Coalition of Non-Government Organizations for Children’s Rights. It assesses several areas of children's rights, including the rights to participation, education, health, protection from drugs, early childhood development, protection from trafficking, juvenile justice, and breastfeeding. For each area, it outlines the methodology, presents results of research and data collection, and provides recommendations to strengthen children's rights. The report was developed with support from UNICEF and other organizations to evaluate and advocate for improving children's welfare.
Children’s rights declaration power pointmonicatana
The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child outlines 10 key principles for children's rights:
1) Children have rights to special protection, facilities, and opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and socially. Their best interests must be a primary consideration.
2) Children have rights to a name, nationality, social security, health care, nutrition, housing, recreation, and education from birth.
3) Society and authorities should protect orphaned or unsupported children and those in large families.
This document outlines a lesson plan on children's rights. It instructs students to form groups and list their needs and wants. It then provides a list of 13 children's rights, such as the right to life, education, health, and protection from abuse. Students are asked to discuss which rights are most and least important. They read a story about a boy named Charles and determine which rights he does and does not have. Finally, they discuss Charles' life circumstances and aspirations for the future.
This document contains materials for teaching children about their rights, including discussions of needs vs wants, children's characteristics and what they need, how children should be treated, and adults' obligations toward children. It includes activities matching rights to categories, ranking rights, discussing rights and responsibilities, analyzing case studies of rights violations, and assessing rights in one's own school. The overall document provides resources for educating children about their human rights as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This presentation by the Children's Rights Council (www.CRCkids.org) helps define the concept of children's rights and includes CRC's very own "Children's Bill of Rights."
Authors: Anitra Stevenson, Marcus Trelaine, with additional help.
Legal Disclaimer:
The legal information provided in this slideshow is for general reference and educational purposes only.
It is the intention of CRCKids.org and the Children's Rights Council to provide a comprehensive resource of useful, accurate general information about the law and help individuals learn more about and strategize their own specific legal needs to make more informed decisions.
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented is helpful, explanations of legal principles have been simplified to present material in an easier to understand format for use by the general public. Moreover, laws can vary considerably in different jurisdictions (from state to state and from county to county) and are subject to frequent changes, as well as diverse interpretations dependent upon the facts unique to a particular situation.
CRCkids.org is not operated by a law firm, nor does the Children's Rights Council claim to be an authority on the legal subject matter contained herein. This slideshow is offered as an instructive guideline and represents one source of information among many, and should not be construed as advice to replace the counsel of a qualified and licensed professional to determine specific legal rights. It is the responsibility of any person or entity using this slideshow to determine the applicable information and facts, and the recommendation of CRCkids.org and the Children's Rights Council to read other material, research additional sources and consult with appropriate legal, financial or clinical professionals before making any decisions that could affect the outcome of a legal proceeding, financial obligation, treatment evaluation, or other important determination.
CRCkids.org and the Children's Rights Council make no representation, guarantee, or warranty (express or implied) as to the legal ability, competence, or quality of representation which may be provided by any attorney, political representative, practitioner, public agency, private service provider or court which are listed herein.
CRCkids.org, along with the Children's Rights Council and its chapters, affiliates and contributors to this slideshow, shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained on this slideshow or for any legal representation provided by any person or entity listed in this slideshow.
'Overview of the Palliative Care Service at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, C...Irish Hospice Foundation
'Overview of the Palliative Care Service at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin' (Presentation at the Maternity and Neonatal Network Meeting, April 2015) [MNN 12]
The document discusses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which outlines the basic human rights that all children are entitled to. It summarizes 10 key articles that address children's rights to protection from discrimination, access to healthcare, education, family life, protection from abuse and exploitation, and the right to an environment that allows for their development. The concluding paragraphs note that many children still face issues like malnutrition, neglect, child labor, and abuse, and calls readers to learn about children's rights and help protect them.
This document is a report on the implementation of children's rights in the Republic of Macedonia prepared by the Macedonian National Coalition of Non-Government Organizations for Children’s Rights. It assesses several areas of children's rights, including the rights to participation, education, health, protection from drugs, early childhood development, protection from trafficking, juvenile justice, and breastfeeding. For each area, it outlines the methodology, presents results of research and data collection, and provides recommendations to strengthen children's rights. The report was developed with support from UNICEF and other organizations to evaluate and advocate for improving children's welfare.
Children’s rights declaration power pointmonicatana
The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child outlines 10 key principles for children's rights:
1) Children have rights to special protection, facilities, and opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and socially. Their best interests must be a primary consideration.
2) Children have rights to a name, nationality, social security, health care, nutrition, housing, recreation, and education from birth.
3) Society and authorities should protect orphaned or unsupported children and those in large families.
This document outlines a lesson plan on children's rights. It instructs students to form groups and list their needs and wants. It then provides a list of 13 children's rights, such as the right to life, education, health, and protection from abuse. Students are asked to discuss which rights are most and least important. They read a story about a boy named Charles and determine which rights he does and does not have. Finally, they discuss Charles' life circumstances and aspirations for the future.
This document contains materials for teaching children about their rights, including discussions of needs vs wants, children's characteristics and what they need, how children should be treated, and adults' obligations toward children. It includes activities matching rights to categories, ranking rights, discussing rights and responsibilities, analyzing case studies of rights violations, and assessing rights in one's own school. The overall document provides resources for educating children about their human rights as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This presentation by the Children's Rights Council (www.CRCkids.org) helps define the concept of children's rights and includes CRC's very own "Children's Bill of Rights."
Authors: Anitra Stevenson, Marcus Trelaine, with additional help.
Legal Disclaimer:
The legal information provided in this slideshow is for general reference and educational purposes only.
It is the intention of CRCKids.org and the Children's Rights Council to provide a comprehensive resource of useful, accurate general information about the law and help individuals learn more about and strategize their own specific legal needs to make more informed decisions.
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented is helpful, explanations of legal principles have been simplified to present material in an easier to understand format for use by the general public. Moreover, laws can vary considerably in different jurisdictions (from state to state and from county to county) and are subject to frequent changes, as well as diverse interpretations dependent upon the facts unique to a particular situation.
CRCkids.org is not operated by a law firm, nor does the Children's Rights Council claim to be an authority on the legal subject matter contained herein. This slideshow is offered as an instructive guideline and represents one source of information among many, and should not be construed as advice to replace the counsel of a qualified and licensed professional to determine specific legal rights. It is the responsibility of any person or entity using this slideshow to determine the applicable information and facts, and the recommendation of CRCkids.org and the Children's Rights Council to read other material, research additional sources and consult with appropriate legal, financial or clinical professionals before making any decisions that could affect the outcome of a legal proceeding, financial obligation, treatment evaluation, or other important determination.
CRCkids.org and the Children's Rights Council make no representation, guarantee, or warranty (express or implied) as to the legal ability, competence, or quality of representation which may be provided by any attorney, political representative, practitioner, public agency, private service provider or court which are listed herein.
CRCkids.org, along with the Children's Rights Council and its chapters, affiliates and contributors to this slideshow, shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained on this slideshow or for any legal representation provided by any person or entity listed in this slideshow.
Including AIDS-affected young people in OVC research: Challenges and opportu...MEASURE Evaluation
A Child Status Network webinar discussing how to involve young people (especially HIV-positive young people) in research about orphans and other vulnerable children. Dr. Lucie Cluver from the Young Carers Project and Oxford University led the November 2012 webinar.
This research proposal examines the relationship between childhood obesity and depression. The study will administer the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI-2) to 29 children to assess their depression levels and correlate these results with each child's weight, activity level, and other health metrics. The proposal acknowledges the physical and psychological impacts of childhood obesity and aims to clarify how obesity may relate specifically to depression in young children. The significance is understanding this relationship could help identify at-risk children and improve outcomes. The methodology section describes a quantitative survey distributed to healthcare providers to understand current practices for monitoring and treating childhood obesity in Montana.
This research proposal examines the relationship between childhood obesity and depression. The study will administer the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI-2) to 29 children to assess their depression levels and correlate these results with each child's weight, activity level, and other health metrics. The proposal acknowledges the physical and psychological impacts of childhood obesity and aims to clarify how obesity may relate specifically to depression in elementary school-aged children. The study methodology is described as is the significance of better understanding childhood obesity monitoring practices to improve health outcomes.
This document summarizes findings from the Youth '07 survey regarding young people attracted to the same sex or both sexes in New Zealand. Some key findings include:
- Approximately 3.9% of secondary school students reported being attracted to the same sex or both sexes.
- Rates of alcohol and drug use, sexually transmitted infections, mental health issues, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts were higher among same/both-sex attracted youth compared to opposite-sex attracted youth.
- Over half of same/both-sex attracted youth had been bullied or physically harmed in the past year, and one in five continued to fear harm at school.
- While most had positive relationships with
May Haddad has over 30 years of experience in public health working in multiple countries and regions. She has held roles such as public health doctor, regional health coordinator, reproductive health consultant, author, and faculty member. Her work has focused on areas like health programming, research, capacity building, and materials development for marginalized communities.
This Information Brief was developed by WHO's Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development to support staff of the Organization and other UN agencies working at global, regional and national levels in promoting the uptake of effective interventions to improve the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents through schools in low-income countries. The premise of the Brief is that school-based sexual and reproductive health education is one of the most important and widespread ways to help adolescents to recognize and avert risks and improve their reproductive health. This evidence-based information brief establishes ways in which the health sector can help the education sector provide appropriate information to adolescents about when and why they need to use health services and where these may be available.
The document summarizes the key findings from consultations with approximately 500 children affected by conflict in East Africa. The children shared their views on humanitarian effectiveness, reducing vulnerability, transformation through innovation, and serving needs in conflict. Their main messages call for an end to conflict and war, addressing hunger through jobs or school meals, continued education during crises, healthcare access, protection from harm, well-equipped child friendly spaces, youth employment and training, and meaningful child participation. The consultations aim to inform the World Humanitarian Summit by elevating the voices of children affected by humanitarian crises.
Health Nuts Media is a company that creates easy to understand health and wellness media for children and adults to promote health literacy. Their mission is to engage audiences with accessible information on clinical topics. The founders have experience in health communications and animation. They assemble expert advisory panels and plan to produce 80 animated videos in 2011 covering a variety of health topics for children and families.
International professional psychology of serviceSusan Hawes
Western psychologists are called to provide services to address the needs of disadvantaged children in developing countries. Key needs include improving children's health, nutrition, education and development. Successful interventions integrate these areas, involve parents and communities, provide age-appropriate learning activities, and give staff systematic training. Assessments and programs should be culturally-sensitive and empower local people and organizations. Psychologists can help by collaborating with local experts, evaluating programs, conducting research, and teaching about global issues.
Presentation_Multisectoral Partnerships and Innovations for Early Childhood D...CORE Group
This document summarizes a discussion on multi-sectoral partnerships and innovation for early childhood development. It was presented by several experts, including Dr. Maureen Black from RTI International, Dr. Joy Noel Baumgartner from Duke University, Mohammed Ali from Catholic Relief Services, Dr. Chessa Lutter from RTI International, and Dr. Erin Milner from USAID. The discussion covered topics like the importance of early childhood development, the Nurturing Care Framework, metrics and measures for childhood development, partnerships for early childhood programs, and challenges and next steps.
AIDSTAR-One Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Children Living with HIV in AfricaAIDSTAROne
An abbreviated version of the Equipping Parents and Health Providers to Address the Psychological and Social Challenges of Caring for Children Living with HIV in Africa report, this technical brief documents promising practices in critical services related to the psychological and social wellbeing of perinatally-infected children in Africa. These promising practices include the identification, testing, and counseling of children so that they are linked to appropriate care as early as possible, as well as on-going support to help children and their families manage disclosure, stigma, grief and bereavement processes.
www.aidstar-one.com/focus_areas/care_and_support/resources/technical_briefs/foundation_future
Supporting Early Childhood Development in the Slums of Africa – Emerging Conc...jehill3
The document summarizes the work of an organization supporting early childhood development in the slums of Africa. It discusses (1) establishing primary healthcare programs, (2) recognizing the importance of caregiver-child attachments for development, and (3) expanding programs to address attachments and broader early childhood development issues through community health workers and partnerships with local universities.
Saving Tomorrow Zimbabwe aims to complete construction of the Donga Resource Center by March 2011 to support vulnerable children in Africa. Future projects will similarly work through existing organizations like Matthew Rusike Children's Home to impact organizations internationally supporting education, health, housing and nutrition for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The main goal is to internationally impact organizations supporting vulnerable children in Africa.
Rotary is providing over $53 million in grants to support polio immunization activities led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary has also committed to raising $150 million over three years to be matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation for polio eradication. Mobile phones and text messaging are being used to strengthen communication lines between health workers in Pakistan and Nigeria for polio reporting and other maternal and child health data collection. Health workers can now quickly alert officials of potential polio cases and track immunization and other health metrics in real-time through their mobile phones.
This document provides an overview of Facts for Life, a publication that delivers essential information to families and communities on how to prevent child and maternal deaths, diseases, injuries, and violence. It discusses the purpose, structure, and key messages of the publication, which aims to educate those who influence children's safety and well-being through simple, life-saving messages. The document also provides details on the topics covered in Facts for Life's 14 chapters and lists some of the UN agencies and organizations involved in its production and dissemination.
The fourth edition of Facts for Life contains essential information that families and communities need to know to raise healthy children. This handbook provides practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, childhood illnesses, child development and the care of children. This edition also features a new chapter on child protection. The book is intended for parents, families, health workers, teachers, youth groups, women’s groups, community organizations, government officials, employers, trade unions, media, and non-governmental and faith-based organizations.
Dr. John Bryant discusses the evidence showing what happens during a child's early years provide a critical foundation for the rest of the child's life. Dr. Bryant presents the Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Project to improve the well-being of 100 million people in the slums of Africa.
Asp openly licensed stories for early reading in africa mar 2015 slideshareSaide OER Africa
A recent presentation made by Tessa Welch, the African Storybook Project leader, to University of Pretoria Education students on the project and on openly licensed stories for early reading in Africa.
Quality Considerations in eLearning in South Africa. Presentation at the eLearning Summit, Indaba Hotel, 16 October 2014. Looks the the quality review process and quality criteria.
Including AIDS-affected young people in OVC research: Challenges and opportu...MEASURE Evaluation
A Child Status Network webinar discussing how to involve young people (especially HIV-positive young people) in research about orphans and other vulnerable children. Dr. Lucie Cluver from the Young Carers Project and Oxford University led the November 2012 webinar.
This research proposal examines the relationship between childhood obesity and depression. The study will administer the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI-2) to 29 children to assess their depression levels and correlate these results with each child's weight, activity level, and other health metrics. The proposal acknowledges the physical and psychological impacts of childhood obesity and aims to clarify how obesity may relate specifically to depression in young children. The significance is understanding this relationship could help identify at-risk children and improve outcomes. The methodology section describes a quantitative survey distributed to healthcare providers to understand current practices for monitoring and treating childhood obesity in Montana.
This research proposal examines the relationship between childhood obesity and depression. The study will administer the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI-2) to 29 children to assess their depression levels and correlate these results with each child's weight, activity level, and other health metrics. The proposal acknowledges the physical and psychological impacts of childhood obesity and aims to clarify how obesity may relate specifically to depression in elementary school-aged children. The study methodology is described as is the significance of better understanding childhood obesity monitoring practices to improve health outcomes.
This document summarizes findings from the Youth '07 survey regarding young people attracted to the same sex or both sexes in New Zealand. Some key findings include:
- Approximately 3.9% of secondary school students reported being attracted to the same sex or both sexes.
- Rates of alcohol and drug use, sexually transmitted infections, mental health issues, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts were higher among same/both-sex attracted youth compared to opposite-sex attracted youth.
- Over half of same/both-sex attracted youth had been bullied or physically harmed in the past year, and one in five continued to fear harm at school.
- While most had positive relationships with
May Haddad has over 30 years of experience in public health working in multiple countries and regions. She has held roles such as public health doctor, regional health coordinator, reproductive health consultant, author, and faculty member. Her work has focused on areas like health programming, research, capacity building, and materials development for marginalized communities.
This Information Brief was developed by WHO's Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development to support staff of the Organization and other UN agencies working at global, regional and national levels in promoting the uptake of effective interventions to improve the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents through schools in low-income countries. The premise of the Brief is that school-based sexual and reproductive health education is one of the most important and widespread ways to help adolescents to recognize and avert risks and improve their reproductive health. This evidence-based information brief establishes ways in which the health sector can help the education sector provide appropriate information to adolescents about when and why they need to use health services and where these may be available.
The document summarizes the key findings from consultations with approximately 500 children affected by conflict in East Africa. The children shared their views on humanitarian effectiveness, reducing vulnerability, transformation through innovation, and serving needs in conflict. Their main messages call for an end to conflict and war, addressing hunger through jobs or school meals, continued education during crises, healthcare access, protection from harm, well-equipped child friendly spaces, youth employment and training, and meaningful child participation. The consultations aim to inform the World Humanitarian Summit by elevating the voices of children affected by humanitarian crises.
Health Nuts Media is a company that creates easy to understand health and wellness media for children and adults to promote health literacy. Their mission is to engage audiences with accessible information on clinical topics. The founders have experience in health communications and animation. They assemble expert advisory panels and plan to produce 80 animated videos in 2011 covering a variety of health topics for children and families.
International professional psychology of serviceSusan Hawes
Western psychologists are called to provide services to address the needs of disadvantaged children in developing countries. Key needs include improving children's health, nutrition, education and development. Successful interventions integrate these areas, involve parents and communities, provide age-appropriate learning activities, and give staff systematic training. Assessments and programs should be culturally-sensitive and empower local people and organizations. Psychologists can help by collaborating with local experts, evaluating programs, conducting research, and teaching about global issues.
Presentation_Multisectoral Partnerships and Innovations for Early Childhood D...CORE Group
This document summarizes a discussion on multi-sectoral partnerships and innovation for early childhood development. It was presented by several experts, including Dr. Maureen Black from RTI International, Dr. Joy Noel Baumgartner from Duke University, Mohammed Ali from Catholic Relief Services, Dr. Chessa Lutter from RTI International, and Dr. Erin Milner from USAID. The discussion covered topics like the importance of early childhood development, the Nurturing Care Framework, metrics and measures for childhood development, partnerships for early childhood programs, and challenges and next steps.
AIDSTAR-One Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Children Living with HIV in AfricaAIDSTAROne
An abbreviated version of the Equipping Parents and Health Providers to Address the Psychological and Social Challenges of Caring for Children Living with HIV in Africa report, this technical brief documents promising practices in critical services related to the psychological and social wellbeing of perinatally-infected children in Africa. These promising practices include the identification, testing, and counseling of children so that they are linked to appropriate care as early as possible, as well as on-going support to help children and their families manage disclosure, stigma, grief and bereavement processes.
www.aidstar-one.com/focus_areas/care_and_support/resources/technical_briefs/foundation_future
Supporting Early Childhood Development in the Slums of Africa – Emerging Conc...jehill3
The document summarizes the work of an organization supporting early childhood development in the slums of Africa. It discusses (1) establishing primary healthcare programs, (2) recognizing the importance of caregiver-child attachments for development, and (3) expanding programs to address attachments and broader early childhood development issues through community health workers and partnerships with local universities.
Saving Tomorrow Zimbabwe aims to complete construction of the Donga Resource Center by March 2011 to support vulnerable children in Africa. Future projects will similarly work through existing organizations like Matthew Rusike Children's Home to impact organizations internationally supporting education, health, housing and nutrition for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The main goal is to internationally impact organizations supporting vulnerable children in Africa.
Rotary is providing over $53 million in grants to support polio immunization activities led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary has also committed to raising $150 million over three years to be matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation for polio eradication. Mobile phones and text messaging are being used to strengthen communication lines between health workers in Pakistan and Nigeria for polio reporting and other maternal and child health data collection. Health workers can now quickly alert officials of potential polio cases and track immunization and other health metrics in real-time through their mobile phones.
This document provides an overview of Facts for Life, a publication that delivers essential information to families and communities on how to prevent child and maternal deaths, diseases, injuries, and violence. It discusses the purpose, structure, and key messages of the publication, which aims to educate those who influence children's safety and well-being through simple, life-saving messages. The document also provides details on the topics covered in Facts for Life's 14 chapters and lists some of the UN agencies and organizations involved in its production and dissemination.
The fourth edition of Facts for Life contains essential information that families and communities need to know to raise healthy children. This handbook provides practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, childhood illnesses, child development and the care of children. This edition also features a new chapter on child protection. The book is intended for parents, families, health workers, teachers, youth groups, women’s groups, community organizations, government officials, employers, trade unions, media, and non-governmental and faith-based organizations.
Dr. John Bryant discusses the evidence showing what happens during a child's early years provide a critical foundation for the rest of the child's life. Dr. Bryant presents the Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Project to improve the well-being of 100 million people in the slums of Africa.
Similar to South African Child Gauge 2009/2010 (20)
Asp openly licensed stories for early reading in africa mar 2015 slideshareSaide OER Africa
A recent presentation made by Tessa Welch, the African Storybook Project leader, to University of Pretoria Education students on the project and on openly licensed stories for early reading in Africa.
Quality Considerations in eLearning in South Africa. Presentation at the eLearning Summit, Indaba Hotel, 16 October 2014. Looks the the quality review process and quality criteria.
African Storybook: The First 18 Months of the ProjectSaide OER Africa
Presentation by African Storybook Initiative Leader, Tessa Welch, on the first 18 months of the initiative. Presented on 26 June at the African Storybook Summit at the University of British Columbia.
Digital Storytelling for Multilingual Literacy Development: Implications for ...Saide OER Africa
Digital Storytelling for Multilingual Literacy Development: Implications for Teachers - Presentation by Tessa Welch at the South African Basic Education Conference 31 March - 1 April 2014. Presentation explains Saide's African Storybook Initiative. Overview: Requirements for effective literacy development of young children in African countries; obstacles to achieving this goal; multi-pronged approach to overcoming obstacles; examples of digital storytelling in a school community; implications for teachers.
This document provides an overview of technology trends and outlook for African higher education. It discusses key drivers and constraints to integrating technology, including motivators like access to resources and constraints like low digital fluency of faculty. Current trends include growing social media usage, blended learning, and data-driven assessment. The document outlines different modes of educational provision from fully offline to fully online. It provides an outlook on emerging technologies like flipped classrooms, learning analytics, and 3D printing and their potential impact on higher education in both the short and long term. The talk concludes by emphasizing that technology should support, not replace, good teaching practices.
eLearning or eKnowledge - What are we offering students?Saide OER Africa
eLearning or eKnowledge - What are we offering students? A look at the convergence of elearning and eknowledge, looking at the purpose of the design - informational or instructional? Presented at the Unisa Cambridge Open and Distance eLearning Conference, Stellenbosch.
Presentation given at the Online and eLearining Conference organised by Knowledge Resources at the Forum, Bryanston, Johannesburg 28-29 August 2013. Created by Greig Krull, Sheila Drew and Brenda Mallinson.
Understand school leadership and governance in the South African context (PDF)Saide OER Africa
This module gives an overview of what management and leadership is about in a school setting. As an aspiring principal it begins a process of developing understanding about the challenges that face principals on a daily basis and allows you to also explore your own realities and decide on new and better action. In addition, you will look at some of the international trends in management and leadership and will compare what is happening in the South Africa scene to others.
Toolkit: Unit 8 - Developing a school-based care and support plan.Saide OER Africa
The document provides guidance to school management teams on developing a school-based care and support plan. It includes tools to help schools analyze the needs of vulnerable learners, create a vision statement, conduct a SWOT analysis, and identify strategic goals. The tools would help schools understand the challenges they face in supporting vulnerable students, develop a plan to address these challenges, and establish goals and objectives in key areas like nutrition, aftercare, counseling, and HIV/AIDS education.
Toolkit: Unit 7 - Counselling support for vulnerable learners.Saide OER Africa
The purpose of this toolkit is to conduct a situational analysis or assessment that will help you to understand the size of the challenge and the current capacity of your school to set up a counselling service. To assist you to decide on the most suitable options for implementing counselling support in your school context.
The purpose of this toolkit is to use a brainstorming technique to come up with creative ideas respond to the challenge of providing aftercare support for vulnerable learners. To use the ideas from the brainstorming session to inform the development of a draft set of ideas for an aftercare strategy.
There are different ways of combating discrimination and creating a safe and nonthreatening environment at school. An important contribution can be made by implementing an Anti-Bullying Policy
The guidelines and the five priority areas identified by Department of Education offer a framework that supports the development of a school HIV and AIDS policy. The guidelines and priorities can also be used to review your school's existing HIV and AIDS policy and determine how adequate it is and what changes may be necessary
Toolkit: Unit 1 - How responsive are schools to the socio-economic challenges...Saide OER Africa
The purpose of this toolkit is to understand what threatens the quality of education in your school so that you can take informed action to remedy the situation.
Reading: Understanding Intrapersonal Characteristics (Word)Saide OER Africa
Here are a few key points about Joseph based on the description:
- He struggles to focus, follow instructions, and complete work. This suggests difficulties with attention, executive functioning, and/or self-regulation.
- He is easily distracted and fidgety. This could indicate an attention issue like ADHD.
- He has quick temper outbursts. This points to potential difficulties with emotional regulation.
- The water spill incident triggered an extreme reaction, rather than a calm response like Martha's. This reinforces the idea of challenges with emotional control.
Overall, Joseph seems to exhibit signs of difficulties with attention, self-control, and emotional regulation - all of which could interfere with his ability to function
Reading: Understanding Intrapersonal Characteristics (pdf)Saide OER Africa
The impact of intrapersonal characteristics on school performance and learner development - A reading to accompany Unit Six of the module: Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Diverse Classrooms. This reading is useful because it summaraizes the various theoretical perspectives for understanding inclusive education, and because it uses case studies of typical learners to illustrate how teaching and learning activities need to be adapted to ensure that all children, no matter what their background or intrapersonal characteristics do learn mathematics.
Reading: Guidelines for Inclusive Learning Programmes (word)Saide OER Africa
A reading to accompany Unit Six of the module: Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Diverse Classrooms. This Reading consists of two extracts from a document "Guidelines for Inclusive Education Learning Programmes" produced by the Department of Education in June 2005.
Reading: Guidelines for Inclusive Learning Programmes (pdf)Saide OER Africa
A reading to accompany Unit Six of the module: Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Diverse Classrooms. This Reading consists of two extracts from a document "Guidelines for Inclusive Education Learning Programmes" produced by the Department of Education in June 2005.
Walmart Business+ and Spark Good for Nonprofits.pdfTechSoup
"Learn about all the ways Walmart supports nonprofit organizations.
You will hear from Liz Willett, the Head of Nonprofits, and hear about what Walmart is doing to help nonprofits, including Walmart Business and Spark Good. Walmart Business+ is a new offer for nonprofits that offers discounts and also streamlines nonprofits order and expense tracking, saving time and money.
The webinar may also give some examples on how nonprofits can best leverage Walmart Business+.
The event will cover the following::
Walmart Business + (https://business.walmart.com/plus) is a new shopping experience for nonprofits, schools, and local business customers that connects an exclusive online shopping experience to stores. Benefits include free delivery and shipping, a 'Spend Analytics” feature, special discounts, deals and tax-exempt shopping.
Special TechSoup offer for a free 180 days membership, and up to $150 in discounts on eligible orders.
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Temple of Asclepius in Thrace. Excavation resultsKrassimira Luka
The temple and the sanctuary around were dedicated to Asklepios Zmidrenus. This name has been known since 1875 when an inscription dedicated to him was discovered in Rome. The inscription is dated in 227 AD and was left by soldiers originating from the city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv).
Beyond Degrees - Empowering the Workforce in the Context of Skills-First.pptxEduSkills OECD
Iván Bornacelly, Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Skills, OECD, presents at the webinar 'Tackling job market gaps with a skills-first approach' on 12 June 2024
How to Setup Warehouse & Location in Odoo 17 InventoryCeline George
In this slide, we'll explore how to set up warehouses and locations in Odoo 17 Inventory. This will help us manage our stock effectively, track inventory levels, and streamline warehouse operations.
Leveraging Generative AI to Drive Nonprofit InnovationTechSoup
In this webinar, participants learned how to utilize Generative AI to streamline operations and elevate member engagement. Amazon Web Service experts provided a customer specific use cases and dived into low/no-code tools that are quick and easy to deploy through Amazon Web Service (AWS.)
This document provides an overview of wound healing, its functions, stages, mechanisms, factors affecting it, and complications.
A wound is a break in the integrity of the skin or tissues, which may be associated with disruption of the structure and function.
Healing is the body’s response to injury in an attempt to restore normal structure and functions.
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There are 4 phases of wound healing: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. This document also describes the mechanism of wound healing. Factors that affect healing include infection, uncontrolled diabetes, poor nutrition, age, anemia, the presence of foreign bodies, etc.
Complications of wound healing like infection, hyperpigmentation of scar, contractures, and keloid formation.
Strategies for Effective Upskilling is a presentation by Chinwendu Peace in a Your Skill Boost Masterclass organisation by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan on 08th and 09th June 2024 from 1 PM to 3 PM on each day.
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering.pptxDenish Jangid
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
Levelling: Instrument used Object of levelling, Methods of levelling in brief, and Contour maps.
Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
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2. Broad overview of the South African Child Gauge 2009/2010
The South African Child Gauge is produced annually by the Children’s Institute, University
of Cape Town to monitor government and civil society’s progress towards realising the
rights of children. This issue focuses on child health.
The South African Child Gauge is divided into three parts:
PART ONE: Children and law reform
Part one discusses recent legislative developments affecting child health. In this issue there
is commentary on the Children’s Act, the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse
Act, provincial health legislation, Tobacco Products Control Amendment Acts, regulations
to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and new regulations to the Social Assistance
Act. See pages 11 – 17.
PART TWO: Healthy children: From survival to optimal development
Part two presents a series of 12 essays. Essays one and two set the scene by examining
children’s rights to health and the status of child health in South Africa. Then come three
essays that look at key health challenges and how to address them: HIV and TB; malnutri-
tion; mental health and risk behaviour. These are followed by four essays that examine how
to strengthen the health care system’s response to childhood illness and injury. This
includes defining a package of basic health care services; managing resources and building
capacity; providing child- and family-friendly services; and strengthening community-based
pro-grammes. The next essay shows how the roots of childhood illness and injury often lie
outside the health care system, and calls for concerted action to address the social deter-
minants of health. Two further essays point the way forward. In the first, the Minister of
Health describes his vision for child health in South Africa. The second draws on the find-
ings presented in the earlier essays to outline recommendations for a system and a soci-
ety that support child health. See pages 19 – 93.
PART THREE: Children Count – the numbers
Part three updates a set of key indicators on children’s socio-economic rights and provides
commentary on the extent to which these rights have been realised. The indicators are a
special subset selected from the website www.childrencount.ci.org.za. See pages 95 – 134.
3. SOUTH AFRICAN
ChildGauge
Edited by Maurice Kibel, Lori Lake,
Shirley Pendlebury & Charmaine Smith 2009/2010
In memory of two inspirational men, who devoted their working lives
to understanding and promoting enabling conditions for children’s well-being
Professor Harold Richman (1937 – 2009)
Professor Alan Flisher (1957 – 2010)
6. Abbreviations
ACRWC African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child IFSNP Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome IMCI Integrated Management of Childhood Illness
ART Antiretroviral Therapy IMR Infant Mortality Rate
ASSA Actuarial Society of South Africa INP Integrated Nutrition Programme
BFHI Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative IQ Intelligence Quotient
CESCR (United Nations) Committee on Economic, Social IYCF Infant and Young Child Feeding
and Cultural Rights m2m mothers2mothers (programme)
CDG Care Dependency Grant MDGs Millennium Development Goals
CRC (United Nations) Convention on the Rights of the Child MDR-TB Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
CSG Child Support Grant MMR Maternal Mortality Ratio
CASP Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme NAFCI National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative
CFHI Child-Friendly Healthcare Initiative NFCS National Food Consumption Survey 2005
CHIP Child Healthcare Problem Identification Programme NPOs Not-for-Profit Organisations
CHW Community Health Worker NSNP National School Nutrition Programme
DHS (South African) Demographic and Health Survey PHC Primary Health Care
EAs Enumerator areas PMTCT Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (of HIV)
EBF Exclusive Breastfeeding SASSA South African Social Security Agency
EPI Expanded Programme of Immunisation SATVI South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative
FCG Foster Child Grant STIs Sexually Transmitted Infections
GDP Gross National Product TB Tuberculosis
GHS General Household Survey U5MR Under-Five Mortality Rate
GNI Gross National Income UN com-
GPI Gender Parity Index mittee United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
HHCC Household and Community Component (of the IMCI) VAT Value Added Tax
ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and WHO World Health Organisation
Cultural Rights XDR-TB Extreme Dug Resistant Tuberculosis
4
7. List of figures, tables and cases
PART TWO: HEALTHY CHILDREN: FROM SURVIVAL TO OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT
Boxes
Box 1: Article 24(2) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child ................................................................... 22
Box 2: Minimum core of the right to health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Figures
Figure 1: How the Constitution and the Children’s Act give effect to children’s international rights to health ................... 25
Figure 2: MDG 4 trend, with various under-five mortality rate estimates .............................................................. 30
Figure 3: Causes of death in newborns and children under five years, 2000 – 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Figure 4: Leading causes of death among older children, by age group and by sex, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Figure 5: Key interventions to address the determinants of child illness and injury ................................................. 33
Figure 6: The causes of malnutrition and proposed interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Figure 7: A continuum of care across a child’s life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Figure 8: Coverage of key interventions for maternal, newborn and child health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Figure 9: A cycle of poverty .................................................................................................................. 83
Tables
Table 1: Primary laws and key programmes for the realisation of children’s socio-economic rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Table 2: Socio-economic indicators with a critical impact on child health ............................................................ 35
Table 3: South Africa’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals: A summary of key indicators .................. 38
Table 4: TB rates in a Cape Town community ............................................................................................ 42
Table 5: Progress towards child-specific targets set by the HIV & AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan ....................... 43
Table 6: Focus areas of the Integrated Nutrition Programme .......................................................................... 48
Table 7: Prevalence of substance use among school children in Cape Town and South Africa .................................. 54
Table 8: National prevalence data on violent behaviour collected from 260 primary and high schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Table 9: Prevalence of bullying among grades 8 and 11 learners from Cape Town and Durban schools ...................... 55
Table 10: As easy as ABC? An A to Z of basic health service interventions for child health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Table 11: Responses required to improve child health care in South Africa in the short and medium term ..................... 68
Table 12: Package of community-based mother, child and women’s health and nutrition services ................................ 75
Table 13: Child- and family-friendly services ................................................................................................ 78
Table 14: Child-Friendly Healthcare Initiative – Standards for child-friendly care ...................................................... 79
Table 15: Factors affecting infant mortality ................................................................................................. 82
Table 16: Child poverty, hunger and access to services in the Western and Eastern Cape, 2008 ................................ 83
Cases
Case 1: The South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative .............................................................................. 42
Case 2: The Healthwise intervention ....................................................................................................... 56
Case 3: The Perinatal Education Programme and Eduhealthcare courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Case 4: Mothers2mothers ................................................................................................................... 72
Case 5: The Mbabakazi community-based care programme ........................................................................... 73
Case 6: Addressing childhood burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Case 7: Local partnerships for health – The Khayelitsha Task Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
5
8. PART THREE: CHILDREN COUNT – THE NUMBERS
Demography of South Africa’s children
Table 1a: Distribution of households, adults and children in South Africa, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Table 1b: Number and proportion of children living with biological parents, 2008 ................................................. 101
Table 1c: Number and proportion of children living with biological parents, 2002 ................................................. 101
Table 1d: Number and proportion of orphans, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Table 1 e: Number and proportion of orphans, 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Table 1f: Number and proportion of children living in child-headed households, 2002 & 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Income poverty, unemployment and social grants
Table 2a: Number and proportion of children living in income poverty, 2002 & 2008 ............................................ 105
Table 2b: Number and proportion of children living in households without an employed adult, 2002 & 2008 ................ 106
Table 2c: Number of children receiving the Child Support Grant, 2005 – 2009 ................................................... 107
Table 2d: Number of children receiving the Foster Child Grant, 2005 – 2009 ..................................................... 108
Table 2e: Number of children receiving the Care Dependency Grant, 2005 – 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Child health: The general context
Table 3a: Number and proportion of children living far from the nearest clinic, 2002 & 2008 .................................. 110
Figure 3a: Age pattern of child mortality trends in South Africa, 1980 – 1998,
using 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey ............................................................... 111
Table 3b: Proportion of children under one year who have been fully immunised, 2003/04 – 2008/09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Figure 3b: Proportion of men and women reporting multiple sexual partnerships within a year, by age group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Table 3c: Proportion of teenagers (aged 15 – 19 years) engaged in sexual risk behaviour, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Child health: HIV/AIDS
Table 4a: HIV prevalence in pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics, 2000 & 2008 ................................. 115
Table 4b: Proportion of booked women attending public antenatal clinics who receive HIV testing, 2001 – 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Table 4c: Proportion of adults newly eligible for ART who initiate treatment, 2002 – 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Table 4d: Proportion of newly infected children who start ART, 2002 – 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Child health: Nutrition
Table 5a: Number and proportion of children living in households where there is reported child hunger, 2002 & 2008 .... 120
Table 5b: Proportion of children affected by stunting, wasting and underweight, 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Table 5c: Proportion of children affected by vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, 2005 ...... 123
Children’s access to education
Table 6a: Number and proportion of school-age children attending an educational institution, 2002 & 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Table 6b: Proportion of children reported to be attending an educational institution, by age, 2008 ............................ 125
Table 6c: Number and proportion of children living far from the nearest primary school, 2002 & 2008 ...................... 127
Table 6d: Number and proportion of children living far from the nearest secondary school, 2002 & 2008 ................... 127
Children’s access to housing
Table 7a: Number and proportion of children in formal, informal and traditional housing, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Table 7b: Number and proportion of children living in over-crowded households, 2002 & 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Children’s access to basic services
Table 8a: Number and proportion of children living in households with water on site, 2002 & 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Table 8b: Number and proportion of children living in households with basic sanitation, 2002 & 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
6
9. Foreword
Marian Jacobs
(Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town)
T
his is the fifth issue of the South have been the greatest inspiration to
African Child Gauge, and it has the Gauge team.
been a privilege to watch its This issue presents a very important
growth and development – from a new- focus on the health of children – an area
born publication, through its tentative first in which comprehensive action is
steps, to a robust, confident, five-year-old urgently needed. For in South Africa,
which has taken its rightful place among despite having 16 years of policies, pro-
those publications which contribute to grammes and interventions to promote,
nation-building. protect and manage the health of chil-
The original intent of the Gauge was to dren, there remains an unfinished agenda,
provide an annual account of the lives of parameters of which are captured in the
children in South Africa – through moni- essays as well as in the numbers in this
toring those commitments made to them issue.
by adults who make laws, policies and pro- Where to from here for the South
mises; through focusing, year on year, on African Child Gauge? Discussions on the
a special sector or aspect of their lives, global stage suggest that the coming
such as education or HIV/AIDS; and years hold much promise for children.
through providing some numbers which can help to track While the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Con-
progress through a quantitative lens. There can be no doubt that vention on the Rights of the Child last year offered a chance
this intent has been fulfilled, and that the Gauge has found that to reflect on both gains and unmet agendas for children, the
oft-times elusive middle road between a scientific publication, upcoming global Summit on the Millennium Development
read mainly by researchers, and one which has a wider reader- Goals provides another opportunity for making real plans
ship of people – in state and civil society structures – who seek which can be scaled down to country level. In terms of our
and appreciate research-based evidence that is presented in Constitution, laws and policies, South Africa is poised to act
a more accessible and policy-relevant format. to implement plans and to embark on a refreshed agenda for
Over its short life, the Gauge has been faced with the same children.
challenges as those that affect the health of children in the Within this, this issue of the Gauge makes an important
first five years of their lives: to survive; to develop; and to be contribution to describing the current state of health of South
protected. These challenges have been successfully addressed Africa’s children, reviewing policies and interventions, and in
through efforts by the Children’s Institute staff and their col- so doing, being a significant knowledge broker between all of
laborators; through the generosity of funders; and especially those who can, and do, make a difference for the health of
through the readers, whose positive feedback and interest our children.
7
11. This finding is true across the whole socio-economic spec- property and other rights. Secondly, it demonstrates, and gives
trum, with worrying implications for the future: These children confidence in, the capacity of the State to protect the property
are at increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, rights of the individual. Thirdly, a vital registration system is
hypertension and strokes later in life. Unless immediate action essential to develop any sort of universal social security system.
is taken to increase physical activity levels and modify diets, Such a system has been shown to be vital in ameliorating the
many children are going to face an even bleaker future. A future serious social problems of disruption caused by market growth.
edition of the South African Child Gauge may wish to pay It also gives people the confidence to be more mobile in seeking
particular attention to this phenomenon which thus far has economic opportunities, as leaving the family or present com-
been relatively neglected. munity network is not such a large welfare risk. It has been
Cause of death data have already played a pivotal role in persuasively argued that the existence of a robust vital regis-
shifting health policy. For many years the impact of HIV and tration system is one of the key reasons why England was the
AIDS in South Africa was either denied or seriously downplayed. first to undergo the Industrial Revolution.7
Meticulous analysis by researchers from the Medical Research South Africa has made great strides in improving the
Council showed how AIDS was by far the leading cause of death coverage of vital registration. More than 90% of births and
in adults, and increasingly in children. Despite resistance even deaths are now captured in urban centers and the majority are
from their own management, the publication of the findings in also captured in rural areas with the proportion improving. The
2
an internationally renowned journal was an important turning majority of births and deaths are now captured in official vital
point in official recognition of the epidemic. registration systems. The provision of widespread social benefits
Unfortunately most people in Africa and Asia are born and has greatly facilitated this increased coverage and serves as
die without leaving a trace in any legal record or official statis- an important lesson for other countries.
tic. Absence of reliable data on births, deaths, and causes of The challenges are to improve efficiency in processing
death are at the root of this scandal of invisibility, which renders registration data such as death certificates, and for academics,
most of the world's poor unseen, uncountable, and hence civil society and government to engage with data to turn it into
uncounted. information and ultimately into knowledge that makes a positive
Every year the births of around 51 million children go unre- difference in the lives of children. Publications such as the South
gistered globally.3 These children are almost always from poor, African Child Gauge are an important contribution to this
marginalised or displaced families, or from countries where sys- process.
tems of registration are not functional. The consequences for
their health and well-being are often severe and long-lasting.
Although sub-Saharan Africa has the highest proportion References
(66%) of children not registered at birth, South Asia, with a 1 Julia C & Valleron AJ (2009) Louis-Rene Villerme (1782 – 1863), a pioneer in
4 social epidemiology: Re-analysis of his data on comparative mortality in Paris
corresponding ratio of 64%, has the highest number. A recent in the early 19th century. Journal of Epidemiological Community Health.
UNICEF analysis revealed that high cost was the primary reason Published Online First, 18 September 2009: http://jech.bmj.com/content/
early/2009/09/23/jech.2009.087957.abstract.
for the lack of birth registration in no fewer than 20 developing 2 Groenewald P, Bradshaw D, Dorrington R, Bourne D, Laubscher R, Nannan N
countries, resulting in large registration disparities between (2005) Identifying deaths from AIDS in South Africa: An update. AIDS, 19(7):
744-745.
rich and poor children. In Tanzania, where overall birth regis-
3 Setel PW, Macfarlane SB, Szreter S, Mikkelsen L, Jha P, Stout S, Abouzahr C,
tration is very low, there is a strong disparity between rich and on behalf of the Monitoring of Vital Events (MoVE) writing group (2007) A
scandal of invisibility: Making everyone count by counting everyone. The
poor, with only 2% of the poorest fifth of children being regis-
Lancet, 370(9598): 1569-1577.
tered compared to 25% of the richest fifth.5 4 See no 3. above.
5 United Nations Children’s Fund (2005) The ‘rights’ start to life. New York: UNICEF.
Approximately half the countries in Africa and southeast
6 See no. 5 above.
Asia have no cause of death data.6 This lack of birth and death 7 Simon Szreter (2005) Health and wealth: Studies in history and policy.
registration is not just a matter of deprivation of a basic human Rochester: Rochester University Press.
right. Recent evidence suggests it may also constrain economic
growth. It is widely accepted that economic growth has, and
continues to, depend upon a few key factors for which vital
registration is critical. Firstly, registration facilitates the workings
of a legal system that enables ordinary people to exercise their
9
13. PART
1 Children and law reform
Part one examines recent legislative developments that affect children’s health in South Africa.
This includes: the Children’s Act • the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act
• provincial health legislation • the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Acts • the regulations to
the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and • new regulations to the Social Assistance Act.
11
14. Key legislative developments in
2009/2010: Child health rights
Lucy Jamieson, Prinslean Mahery and Khululwa Seyisi-Tom (Children’s Institute)
A
rticle 24 of the United Nations Conven- The most significant changes for child health focus on
tion on the Rights of the Child provides for consent to medical treatment, surgical operations, HIV
“the right of the child to the enjoyment testing, access to contraceptives and circumcision.
of the highest attainable standard of health”. This The Act gives clear direction on what should
provision expands on the right to health in the happen when a child lacks the capacity to
International Covenant on Economic, Social consent, and on children’s right to refuse
and Cultural Rights, and a similar right is health services. It also introduces chil-
found in article 14 of the African Charter dren’s rights to participate in health
on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. decisions and to access a range
The treaties define health broadly to of health information. Provision was
include the underlying determinants of made to ensure confidentiality in relation to a
health such as “access to safe and potable water child’s health status and treatment infor-
and adequate sanitation, an adequate supply of mation. The Act also provides for the
safe food, nutrition and housing, healthy occupa- compulsory reporting of abuse and neglect. It
tional and environmental conditions, and access to emphasises that the child’s best interests must
health related education and information, including guide health professionals in all decisions that
on sexual and reproductive health”.1 affect children.
The South African Constitution includes children’s right to
basic health care services and a range of socio-economic Consent
rights that place the same obligations on the State as the right The new law allows for caregivers such as grandmothers to
to health in international law (see pp. 22 – 28). consent to medical treatment and HIV testing for children in
The essay in this section describes and interprets legis- their care. Previously, the law specified an age threshold of 14
lative developments relevant to child health in 2009/2010. years for treatment and 18 years for surgery. Now health
These include the Children’s Act, the Prevention of and Treat- professionals must consider both the age and the maturity of
ment for Substance Abuse Act, provincial health legislation, the child. The Act allows children 12 years and older to
the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Acts, the regula- consent to medical treatment or a surgical operation if they
tions to the Basic Conditions of Employment and new regula- are “mature” enough to understand the benefits, risks, social
tions to the Social Assistance Act. and other implications of the treatment or operation.
The parent or guardian must assist a child over 12 when
making a decision about a surgical operation. When a child is
Children’s Act
too young or lacks capacity, a parent or guardian can give
The Children’s Act (as amended by the Children’s Amendment consent, but must consider any views expressed by the child.
Act)2 came into full force on 1 April 2010. The accompanying However, the age threshold of 12 years and older does not
regulations also came into operation on the same day.3 The apply to a girl child seeking a termination of pregnancy either
4
Act repeals the Child Care Act and contains a number of new through medical treatment or surgery because the law that
provisions relating to child health. regulates abortions is not the Children’s Act, but the Choice on
12 South African Child Gauge 2009/2010
15. Termination of Pregnancy Act,5 which allows a girl of any age When a child lacks capacity to consent
to consent to an abortion, provided she can give informed When a child does not have the legal capacity to consent, a
consent. parent or guardian can consent to any procedure, including
A child over 12 years can consent to an HIV test and the surgery. Caregivers (people like grannies or foster parents)
disclosure of his/her HIV/AIDS status. A child younger than 12 may consent only to medical treatment and HIV testing. Desig-
can also consent to testing or to the disclosure of his/her HIV nated child protection organisations (eg Child Welfare South
status, if mature enough to understand the risks, benefits and Africa) can consent to an HIV test or the disclosure of a child’s
social implications of the test or the disclosure. No child may HIV status when arranging the placement of a child (either in
be tested without receiving counselling before and after the foster care or adoption).
test. An HIV test must be in the child’s best interests and the If the child does not have capacity to consent and the
relevant consent must be obtained. parents are unavailable or unreasonably withholding consent,
A court can order that a child is tested for HIV when it is the provincial head of social development, the courts or the
necessary to establish if someone has contracted the virus from Minister of Social Development can consent. A hospital super-
contact with the child’s bodily fluids. For example, if a child is intendent or the person in charge of a hospital can consent to
alleged to have committed a sexual offence, a magistrate can emergency surgery or urgent treatment to save the life of the
order an HIV test in terms of the Sexual Offences Act6 to find child or prevent permanent disability if there is no time for the
out if the victim was exposed to HIV during the alleged offence. usual consent procedures.
To access contraceptives, a child should be 12 years or
older, and no maturity test is required. The Act says that no- A right to refuse health care
one (including a health professional) may refuse condoms to a The Constitution protects children’s right to bodily integrity and
child older than 12 years. This strong wording aims to ensure the National Health Act7 obliges health practitioners to inform
that teenagers have unrestricted access to condoms to protect health users (including child patients with the capacity to consent)
themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, about their right to refuse treatment. The Children’s Act does not
and early pregnancy. To access contraceptives other than explicitly grant children the right to refuse treatment or surgery;
condoms, the child must undergo a medical examination, and however, it does acknowledge such a right by noting that the
must be given proper medical advice on how and when to use Minister of Health can consent to a child’s medical treatment or
the contraceptives, and possible side-effects. The Act expressly surgery if the child “unreasonably” refuses consent. This implies
obliges health professionals to respect children’s confiden- that refusal will be respected if reasonable. However, as with
tiality when requesting contraceptives – again to provide a the right to consent, only a child of consent age and who is
supportive environment for teenagers to access essential mature enough to understand the risks and consequences of
reproductive health services. refusing can exercise the right to refuse health care.
Female circumcision or genital mutilation is banned by the
Children’s Act. However, circumcision can be performed on Health information
boys for cultural, religious or medical purposes. When it comes Children have a right to information about their health and to
to cultural circumcision, a boy has to be 16 years or older and participate in the decision-making process even if they do not
he must consent to the circumcision. Every male child has the have the right to consent. All children have a right to information
right to refuse circumcision if he is mature enough to understand about their own health and treatment options, and to general
the consequences. Religious circumcision can be performed health information on health promotion and prevention, and on
on a boy younger than 16 if the parents or guardians consent. sexual and reproductive health in particular. Adopted children
Boys older than 16 can consent to religious circumcision, but and children conceived artificially have a right to access medical
must be assisted by a parent or guardian. information about their biological parents. The Children’s Act
Medical circumcision is treated as a surgical operation and requires that information must be provided in a format acces-
can be performed only for medical reasons on the recommen- sible to children, including children with disabilities.
dation of a medical practitioner. Only a medical practitioner or
person with knowledge of the cultural or religious practices of Reporting and confidentiality
the child and who has been properly trained to perform circum- The Act upholds the child’s right to privacy and physical integrity
cisions can do so. The Children’s Act regulations outline the by requiring that the child’s health status and the status of his/
circumcision procedure to safeguard the health of the child. her parents or family members be kept confidential. Any unautho-
PART 1 Children and Law Reform 13
16. rised breach of confidentiality about HIV/AIDS status is an type of treatment. The additional responsibility placed on
offence. The Act provides that confidentiality may be breached health professionals to determine the maturity of children will
if it is in the best interests of the child. Health professionals contribute to their already heavy workload. They will need
will have to make a judgement call in each instance, based on training and additional capacity to meet this new requirement.
the factors for determining best interests listed in the Act – Allowing younger children, caregivers and others to consent
for example, the nature of the child and parent’s relationship to medical treatment and HIV testing will ensure that more
must be considered when deciding to inform a parent of the children can receive treatment, and that children’s health
child’s HIV status. needs are not delayed while tracing parents or guardians for
The Act instructs health professionals to breach confiden- consent. The new consent provisions also respond directly to
tiality if they conclude that the child has been abused or deli- evidence of earlier sexual debut in teenagers. The Department
berately neglected. Health professionals are amongst a range of Health has acknowledged research indicating that some chil-
of professionals obliged to report an incident of abuse or dren are engaging in sex well before the age of 14.8 Removing
deliberate neglect to a police officer, the Department of Social barriers to children’s access to contraceptives and medical
Development, or a social worker. A young child presenting with treatment for STIs will reduce the incidence of teenage preg-
an STI, a 13-year-old requesting condoms who reveals that nancies, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
she is having sex with an adult, or a child with signs of physical The Child Care Act did not prescribe specific forms to be
assault are examples of where confidentiality must be breached completed when reporting child abuse or neglect, but the
to ensure the child is protected from further abuse. Children’s Act regulations include a standardised form that
must be completed by health professionals (and others). The
Strengths and weaknesses introduction of this form sets a higher standard of record-
The law now requires health professionals to assess the child’s keeping and includes a detailed description of the full circum-
maturity. However, neither the Act nor its regulations provide stances of the child to ensure adequate protection.
guidance on how maturity should be assessed. This could result
in children being treated differently or health professionals
Prevention of and Treatment for Substance
simply using the age threshold as the determining factor. The Abuse Act
regulations state that the consent form has to be completed
by the person performing surgery on a child, or a represen- The Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act9
tative of the facility where the operation will be done. When was signed by the President and published in the Government
completing the form, this person is required to indicate that Gazette on 21 April 2009, but is not yet in operation. It provides
s/he has explained to the child the nature, consequences, for a co-ordinated strategy and services to reduce the supply
risks and benefits of the surgery, and that s/he is satisfied that of and demand for substances which can be abused, such as
the child is of sufficient maturity and has the mental capacity drugs and alcohol.
to understand the risks, benefits, social and other implications The Act provides for prevention and early intervention
of the operation. services that are specifically aimed at children and families.
Currently, it is common practice for receptionists and It complements the Children’s Act by identifying a range of
administrators to complete the consent forms, and the Act supportive measures such as parenting, peer education, sports
would appear to allow this because they could be considered a and leisure, and educational programmes to increase
“representative of the facility”. However, assessing the child’s children’s and youth’s “capacity to make informed healthy
maturity and mental capacity to understand the risks, benefits, choices”. It refers to the Children’s Act in relation to the
social and other implications of the operation is a skilled task reporting of children who abuse substances, and the place-
that should be done only by trained professionals. ment and treatment of such children, and provides that
The provisions are not so clear about who should deter- children and adults must be treated separately.
mine maturity for medical treatment or HIV testing. However, A major weakness in this Act is that it does not explicitly
the precedent set in the regulations for surgery can be applied provide for all children to participate in decisions on their
to medical treatment, meaning that the health professional admission to a treatment centre. Voluntary admissions can be
treating the child must assess maturity. This could be a processed in two ways: Either the child can submit him/herself
doctor, nurse or lay counsellor, depending on the facility and for treatment, or a parent can apply for the child to be admitted.
14 South African Child Gauge 2009/2010
17. In accordance with the Children’s Act, only children 12 years Whereas the original Act prohibited the sale or supply of
or older and mature enough to consent to treatment should tobacco products to children under 16, the amendment
be able to admit themselves voluntarily. raises this age threshold to 18. The owner or person in
However, the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance charge of a business must now also ensure that employees
Abuse Act also allows parents to apply for admission of a under the age of 18 do not sell or supply anyone with tobacco
child of any age. The Act provides no guidance on what products. The Act also outlaws the supply and sale of
should happen if there is a conflict between a parent and a tobacco products in places where persons under 18 receive
child who is at least 12 and mature enough to understand the education or training. The restrictions even apply to the use
risks and benefits of the treatment. Yet such a child has the of cigarette vending machines – these must be located out of
right to refuse treatment. If the child unreasonably refuses the reach of children.
treatment that is deemed in his/her best interests, the provi- Anyone who fails to comply with these provisions will be
sions of the Children’s Act can be invoked, and the parents guilty of an offence and could be fined up to R100,000.
can apply to the Children’s Court for an involuntary admission. Smoking a tobacco product in a “motor vehicle when a child
Another weakness of the Prevention of and Treatment for under the age of 12 years is present in that vehicle” is now
Substance Abuse Act is the procedure for the involuntary admis- prohibited and punishable by a fine of up to R500.
sion of a child, which states that section 152 of the Children’s These amendments protect the general health and well-
Act should be used to admit a child to a treatment or child and being of the child by covering different settings in which a
youth care centre. Yet, section 152 was designed to provide child’s health could be compromised.
for the removal of a child to temporary safe care without a
court order in emergencies. It is a measure of last resort and
Provincial health legislation
should be invoked only when it is absolutely necessary to
protect the child from immediate danger and if “delay in The Constitution provides that the national and provincial
obtaining a court order for the removal of the child and governments share responsibility for health care. This means
placing the child in temporary safe care may jeopardize the provincial parliaments can pass laws to regulate the health
child’s safety and well-being”. If there is no immediate danger, system in their province, as long as these laws are not in
the child has a right to have the matter considered by a court. conflict with the National Health Act. In 2009, both KwaZulu-
The General Principles of the Children’s Act guide the imple- Natal12 and the Free State13 provinces passed health Acts.
mentation of all legislation applicable to children, including the The Free State Act has commenced; the KwaZulu-Natal Act is
Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act. The not yet in force. Both Acts aim to bring provincial health laws
General Principles provide that all proceedings, actions or in line with the National Health Act and the Constitution. The
decisions concerning a child must respect, protect, promote Western Cape14 and the North West15 provinces have recently
and fulfil the child’s constitutional rights, including the rights prepared legislation that is still to be considered by their
to physical integrity and dignity. The child must be treated parliaments.
fairly and equitably and must be informed of any action or In keeping with the National Health Act, the KwaZulu-Natal
decision taken in any matter concerning him/her. Depending on and Free State Acts oblige health users to treat health care
the child’s age, maturity and stage of development, s/he has providers with dignity and respect. However, none of these
the right to participate in the decision-making process. Acts emphasise the right of health users to be treated with
The Department of Social Development needs to issue a dignity and respect.
directive to clarify how these two Acts should be interpreted and The National Health Act establishes a district health system
implemented when the child falls under the ambit of both laws. and requires provinces to pass legislation to set up district
health councils and committees for clinics and community
Tobacco Products Control Amendment Acts health centres. The councils and committees are mechanisms
for public participation in health decision-making. Guidance from
Parliament amended the Tobacco Products Control Act10 in the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child makes
2007 and 2008; both the Amendment Acts11 came into force it clear that children’s right to participate includes decisions
on 21 August 2009. They introduce child-specific amend- about policy and service delivery.16 Therefore, these health
ments to the principal Act. councils and committees should facilitate the active partici-
PART 1 Children and Law Reform 15
18. pation of children. Both the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal Acts Social Assistance Act regulations
provide for these committees and councils but are silent on
the issue of children’s participation. In December 2009 the Minister of Social Development pub-
lished an amendment19 to the regulations of the Social
Assistance Act20. The regulations relate to eligibility for the
Basic Conditions of Employment Act
regulations Child Support Grant (CSG) and came into force on 1 January
2010. A second amendment21 was published on 12 March
The general rule in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employ- 2010 but was back-dated to apply from 1 January 2010.
ment Act17 is that children can only be employed from the age
of 15 (certain exceptions apply to children below this age who Age threshold
are allowed to perform labour for advertisements, sport or in The Department of Social Development has removed the age
artistic or cultural events). New regulations on Hazardous Work restriction on the grant after a decade of advocacy by civil
by Children18 came into effect on 7 February 2010 to prevent society, which included legal challenges to the constitutionality
exploitation and abuse of children at work, and to ensure that of the regulations.22 The second amendment to the regulations
they work in a safe environment and are not exposed to risks. states that caregivers of children born on or after 31 December
A ‘child worker’ is defined as a person under 18 years who works 1993 are eligible for the CSG with effect from 1 January 2010,
for an employer and who receives or is entitled to receive and shall continue to receive the grant until the child turns 18.
remuneration. This means that up to 2 million more vulnerable teenagers will
The regulations detail the risk factors that an employer must benefit from the grant. There is evidence that the extra income
consider when a child is employed. These include children’s will enable families to provide nutrition and pay for transport for
biological sensitivity to chemicals, increased vulnerability to children to access a range of government services including
sleep disruption, reduced ability to perceive danger correctly, education, health, social services and home affairs.23
and relative lack of experience and maturity in making safety
judgements. Employers may not allow children to do work that Additional requirements – school attendance
requires them to wear respiratory protection. Employers of The new regulations require caregivers to provide proof of
child workers must display a summary of these regulations in school enrolment and attendance for children between seven
the workplace to ensure that children and their co-workers are and 18 years to the South African Social Security Agency within
fully aware of the protection that they are entitled to. one month of approval of a new CSG application. Caregivers
The regulations set out guidelines and conditions for must send the child’s school report, signed by the principal,
employers of child workers who work in elevated positions; lift to the national Director-General of Social Development every
heavy weights; work in a cold, hot or noisy environment; or use six months. If the child is not enrolled or fails to attend school,
power tools, grinding and cutting equipment. These regulations the caregiver must give reasons in writing. The regulations
assume that employers will have the skills and equipment require the Department of Education to notify the Department
necessary to keep noise and temperatures within the recom- of Social Development of any child who is not enrolled or fails
mended limits. to attend school.
Where the regulations have been contravened, labour inspec- The additional requirements are not conditions that care-
tors are required to refer cases to a child protection organi- givers need to meet when applying for the CSG, and the grant
sation in terms of the Children’s Act. A person found guilty of cannot not be withdrawn if a caregiver fails to provide proof of
breaking the regulations shall be liable to a fine or 12 months enrolment and attendance. Instead, a social worker will be sent
imprisonment. However, it will be difficult to detect such viola- to investigate and support the family to keep the child in school.
tions of children’s rights as most contraventions are only However, there are questions on how these regulations will
picked up through complaints or routine inspections. Only a be implemented. For example, it is not clear how school
small proportion of labour inspectors’ time is dedicated to principals will know if children are not enrolled, as the children
child labour – and most children are employed where law may have moved to another school. Similarly, where will the
enforcement is virtually absent: in the informal sector, on Department of Social Development find social workers to
farms, as seasonal workers in the hospitality industry, or in assign to these cases, given current shortages? Thankfully
domestic service. these additional requirements are not punitive to the caregiver.
16 South African Child Gauge 2009/2010
19. Whatever problems the two departments have in implementing References
these regulations, they shall not affect caregivers’ eligibility for
1 United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2000)
the CSG.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. General
comment 14: The right to the highest attainable standard of health (article 12 of
the Covenant), E/C.12/2000/4. Geneva: UN, par. 11.
Conclusion 2 Children’s Act 38 of 2005, as amended by the Children’s Amendment Act 41
of 2007.
To obtain the highest standard of health, children need access 3 Department of Social Development (2010) Children’s Act, 2005. General regula-
tions regarding children. Government Gazette 33076, regulation 261, 1 April
to health care services, healthy environments and access to 2010;
basic necessities such as food, water and social assistance. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (2010) Children’s Act,
2005. Regulations relating to Children’s Court and international child abduc-
The Children’s Act provides that children have greater access tion. Government Gazette 33067, regulation 250, 1 April 2010.
to information that will help them to lead healthy lives, including 4 Child Care Act 74 of 1983.
5 Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act 92 of 1996.
information about sexual and reproductive health. The Act also 6 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007.
ensures greater access to health care services by allowing more 7 National Health Act 61 of 2003.
8 Department of Health (2001) Policy guidelines on youth and adolescent health.
people to consent to the treatment of children. The extension
Pretoria: DoH.
of the CSG will enable poor families to provide basic necessities, 9 Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008.
10 Tobacco Products Control Act 83 of 1993.
and keep teenagers in school.
11 Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 23 of 2007 and Tobacco Products
If effectively enforced, the regulations on Hazardous Work Control Amendment Act 63 of 2008.
12 KwaZulu-Natal Health Act 1 of 2009.
by Children should lead to healthier working conditions. The
13 Free State Provincial Health Act 3 of 2009.
amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act should protect 14 Western Cape Department of Health (2009) District Health Councils draft bill.
children from the health risks associated with smoking. Provincial Gazette 6597, provincial notice 25, 30 January 2009.
15 North West Department of Health (2008) North West Health Bill. Provincial
All the above laws require large-scale budgets and invest- Gazette 6538 of 2008, provincial notice 559, 29 September 2008.
ment in human resources. Parliament now has the power to 16 United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (2009) United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child. General comment 12: The right of the child
amend national budgets and, with input from civil society, deter- to be heard (article 12 of the Convention), CRC/C/GC/12. Geneva: UN.
mine priority spending areas. However, budgets alone are not 17 Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997.
18 Department of Labour (2010) Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75/1997.
sufficient to implement laws. There is a critical shortage of Regulations on hazardous work by children in South Africa. Government
skilled workers to provide the services required by the new Gazette 32862, regulation 7, 15 January 2010.
19 Department of Social Development (2009) Social Assistance Act, 13/2004.
legislation. The services discussed require additional health Amendment: Regulations relating to the application for and payment of social
practitioners, social workers, labour inspectors, police officers assistance and the requirements or conditions in respect of eligibility for social
assistance. Government Gazette 32853, regulation 9218, 31 December 2009.
and other professionals. The government needs to invest in the 20 Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004.
training and development of these practitioners if these services 21 Department of Social Development (2010) Social Assistance Act, 13/2004.
Amendment: Regulations relating to the application for and payment of social
are to be delivered to all the children who need them. assistance and the requirements or conditions in respect of eligibility for social
assistance. Government Gazette 32917, regulation 193, 12 March 2010.
22 Proudlock P (2009) Submissions on draft regulations: Extension of the Child
Support Grant and proposed introduction of a new school enrolment and atten-
dance condition. Submission to the Department of Social Development. Cape
Town: Children’s Institute (UCT), Black Sash, Alliance for Children’s Entitle-
ment to Social Security, Childline South Africa, Disabled Children’s Action
Group, National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers, Yezingane
Network, Children’s Rights Centre & the Caring Schools Network.
23 Seyisi K & Proudlock P (2009) “When the grant stops, the hope stops.” The
impact of the lapsing of the Child Support Grant at age 15: Testimonies from care-
givers of children aged 15 to 18. Report for Parliament. Children’s Institute (UCT),
Black Sash and the Alliance for Children’s Entitlement to Social Security.
PART 1 Children and Law Reform 17
21. PART
2 Healthy children:
From survival to optimal development
Part two presents a series of twelve essays that explore what needs to be done within,
and outside of, the health care system to realise children’s rights to health in South Africa.
The essays focus on: children’s rights to health • the status of child health in South Africa
• HIV and tuberculosis • malnutrition • mental health and risk behaviour • basic health care
services for children • managing resources and building capacity • child- and family-friendly
services • community-based health care • the social determinants of health • the Minister of
Health’s vision for child health, and • key recommendations.
19
22. Overview
P
art two contains 12 essays reflecting on progress An integrated approach to malnutrition in childhood
towards realising children’s rights to health in South (pages 46 – 52)
Africa. The essays identify some critical issues that Malnutrition impairs children’s growth, health and develop-
must be addressed both within and outside the health care ment. Sixty percent of children who died in South African
system to ensure the survival, health and optimal development hospitals were underweight for their age. The Integrated
of all children in South Africa. Nutrition Programme provides a comprehensive framework
for addressing the causes of malnutrition, but additional staff,
training and support are required to improve the coverage of
Introduction
key nutrition interventions. Access to social assistance and
Children’s rights to health improved household food security are essential for achieving
(pages 22 – 28) better childhood nutrition.
Children’s rights to health are broadly defined in international
Mental health and risk behaviour
law and extend beyond access to health care services to include
(pages 53 – 57)
a range of other services – such as water, sanitation, nutrition,
Unsafe sex, interpersonal violence and alcohol abuse are
education and social services – that are necessary to promote
leading drivers of death and disability in South Africa. These
children’s survival, health and optimal development. Although
risk behaviours have their roots in childhood and adolescence
a number of laws, policies and programmes give effect to
and have a significant impact on children’s physical and mental
these rights in South Africa, these have not yet translated into
health. There is a need for integrated programmes that promote
improved health outcomes for children.
mental health and prevent risk behaviours in a variety of settings
Status of child health in South Africa including the family, school, community and mass media.
(pages 29 – 40)
Children under five account for 80% of child deaths in South Health services for children
Africa. These deaths result from neonatal causes and childhood
Basic health care services for children
infections (HIV, diarrhoea and lower respiratory infections).
(pages 58 – 63)
Injury is the leading cause of death amongst older children.
While the Constitution provides for children’s access to basic
Most childhood deaths are rooted in poverty, which impairs
health care services, the content of this right has yet to be
children’s immunity and increases their exposure to infection
defined by the legislature or the courts. This essay outlines a
and injury.
potential package of services for children from conception to
adolescence and stresses the need for vertical and horizontal
Critical issues in child health integration of health services to enable universal access to,
and continuity of, care.
HIV, tuberculosis and child health
(pages 41 – 45) Managing resources and building capacity in the
HIV is the leading cause of death for children under five and TB context of child health (pages 64 – 70)
rates are alarmingly high, and climbing. Preventative strategies South Africa is failing to deliver quality care to children despite
include the promotion of safe sex and improved delivery of high national expenditure on health. This essay examines some
prevention of mother-to-child transmission treatment. Treat- of the systemic problems that hamper the delivery of health
ment guidelines should be regularly updated to align with care services for children and proposes a range of potential
international best practice. HIV and TB programmes of pre- solutions to improve leadership, accountability, efficiency and
vention and treatment must be integrated in order to optimise communication within public health care system.
service delivery.
20 South African Child Gauge 2009/2010
23. Child health and community-based services The way forward
(pages 71 – 76)
Community health workers play an essential role in extending A vision for child health in South Africa
the reach of formal health services and in promoting health (pages 90 – 91)
and preventing illness. Despite a proliferation of community- In this essay, the Minister of Health provides a clear vision for
based services in response to the HIV and TB pandemics, few child health in South Africa. The essay identifies the need to
of these programmes focus specifically on child health. The strengthen key programmes such HIV/AIDS, immunisation and
sector is also largely unregulated and poorly integrated with the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses. It calls on
the formal health care system. health workers to bridge the gap between policy and imple-
Two draft frameworks offer potential solutions: standard- mentation and urges all South Africans to work together to
ising the management, training, supervision and financing of ensure that mothers and children not only survive, but thrive.
community-based programmes across the health and social
Recommendations
development sectors; and defining a basic package of com-
(pages 92 – 93)
munity-based maternal, child health and nutrition services.
This essay draws on the key findings of the preceding essays
to outline key recommendations, including four essential steps
Child- and family-friendly services
towards realising children’s right to health in South Africa:
(pages 77 – 81)
address deep-rooted poverty and inequality; improve the quality
Child-friendly services go far beyond painting children’s wards
and coverage of child health services; strengthen community-
in bright colours. Under the new Children’s Act, health profes-
based services; and build partnerships to create a safe and
sionals have a legal obligation to facilitate children’s informed
healthy environment for children.
consent and active participation in decision-making about
health care. Actively involving parents and caregivers in chil-
dren’s health care also helps reduce unnecessary stress and
trauma. As is evidenced by best practice in southern Africa,
implementing child- and family-friendly services requires a shift
in thinking, rather than additional resources.
A healthy environment
The social and environmental determinants of health
(pages 82 – 89)
The underlying causes of childhood illness and injury lie outside
the formal health care system. Poverty and poor delivery of
essential services such as housing, water and sanitation put
children’s health at risk. Unsafe sex, alcohol abuse and violence
against women and children also have a significant impact on
children’s health. This essay calls on the Department of Health
to initiate partnerships at national and district level to address
deep-rooted inequalities, reduce poverty and improve living
conditions so that all children in South Africa have the oppor-
tunity to develop their full potential.
PART 2 Healthy Children 21