PRESENTATION : NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN (NPAC)

PRESENTATION :NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN (NPAC) “Towards A South Africa Fit for Children”

INTRODUCTION • This presentation is on the Draft National Plan of Action for Children 2012 to 2017, which was developed by the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities • It is the review of the Plan developed in 1996. • The need and rationale for the review of 1996 National Plan of Action for Children was presented by, among others, changes in society, culture, technology and legal spheres

BACKGROUND • South Africa became signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995 – As an obligation, she had to develop National Plan of Action for Children – which was done in 1996 • The 1996 NPAC – was focusing on the core functions of key departments to provide services to children – not on what children need • The Reviewed 2012 - 2017 NPAC framework has been developed – embracing new legislation for children (local, regional and international) • Its focus is “The Child” as the central point of departure

The Making of a Plan for Children UNCRC, ACRWC,UNCRDP MDGs Constitution National Development Plan – VISION 2030 Existing Government Plans and Policies

APPROACH • baseline information was collatedon every issue and presented under every theme, to inform the implementation plan (e.g. child mortality - Child Survival) • government goals – have been used as a benchmark to inform programmes that are contributing in the achievement of government mandate towards children • objectives were set, based on a “SMART” principle • broad national indicators wereset to guide and track progressduring implementation • possible strategies / programmes weresuggested to achieve the set objectives • the roles of the lead and supporting departments in all sub-themes wereoutlined

COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES • CHILD SURVIVAL • reduction of child mortality byensuring that babies are born healthy and stay alive; • keeping children healthy by providing good nutrition for them; • ensuring that children living with HIV and AIDS live longer; 2. CHILD DEVELOPMENT This area ensures that: all children grow, learn and develop to be the best persons that they can be: • the need for stimulation of children; • access to early childhood development; • quality of education of children in schools;

COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES (Cont) • disabled children and their access to education; • children in rural and urban areas and access to services; • children and the importance of creating opportunities for play as a requirement for their development, etc. • 3. PROTECTION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN Keeping children safe and taking care of them: • how to protect and support children who are victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence; • protecting children from rape and sexual abuse; • children who are orphans/without parents; (OVC)

COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES(Cont) • children living on the streets; • children who are in conflict with the law; • child-headed families; • children living in children’s homes/alternative care; • The plight of refugee children, unaccompanied minor; • 4. STANDARD OF LIVING OF CHILDREN IN S.A. • This area focuses on key services - to provide quality care to children: • taking care of children who are poor; • Improving the conditions of accommodation/ shelter/ houses that children live in;

COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES (Cont) • children’s access to clean water and hygiene; • clean and safe cities, towns and communities; • parks and recreational facilities for children; • children receiving material support and food security (social security) • 5. CHILD PARTICIPATION • participation in policy making in government, good governance in different sectors and communities; • children exercising their rights as guided by the responsibilities that go with the rights

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Leadership: • Cabinet - oversee translation of NPAC into Sectoral Policies and Programmes; • National Planning Commission and Dept. of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation – alignment Coordination of Processes: • DWCPD, NPAC Steering Committee and Ministerial Advisory Council on Children Advocacy and Mainstreaming: • National and Provincial Depts., Municipalities, Civil Society and Public Child Participation: • Ensuring that real needs of children are addressed;Monitoring the implementation 10

WORK DONE • The NPAC structure was done with other departments • Workshops were organized for national and provincial departments, civil society, Children’s rights machinery and children themselves – inputs were consolidated • Had a meeting with a Team of Experts to refine the document on 19 April 2012 • NPAC was tabled at the DGs meetings and inputs incorporated: - Social Cluster meetings on 13 June and 18 July 2012 - Governance and Administration Cluster meetings on 21 June and 19 July 2012 - Justice Cluster meeting of 02 October 2012 10

Child-Friendly NPAC developed - Inputs on 5 Nov 2011, National Children’s Day

WAY FORWARD • Continue to refine the documents based on inputs • Emerging issues of children, e.g. harmful cultural practices, mainstreaming of Early Childhood Development to all children, the spate of violence against children etc, to be considered as crucial • Final document to be circulated to HODs for endorsement • Release NPAC as public document during post the Cabinet approval

PRESENTATION : NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN (NPAC)