Sixteen days of activism opposing violence against women and children will be launched later this month, Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya said on Saturday.
"Communities must work together with government to stop the rape and murder of children happening across the country," she said at the National Children's Day celebration at Summerstrand in Port Elizabeth.
"Even more disturbing is that some of the crimes against children are committed by family members who are supposed to protect children. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
"We have to mobilise communities and all sectors of our society to work together to protect children and women from violence."
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She said government was making significant progress on expanding social services for children.
Over eight million children in need are now receiving child support grants. From January next year, the age limit for children who are eligible for this grant will increase from 14 to 15 years.
From January 2011 the child support grant will be extended to 16-year olds and it will rise to the 17-year-olds on 1 January 2012.
"In total, the extension of age limit in the provision of social grants is expected to benefit an additional 2 million children from poor households. The estimated total cost will be R1,3-billion, R2,6-billion and R3,5-billion respectively over the three-year period." Mayende-Sibiya said efforts were also being made to ensure that all children have access to at least grade R education by 2014 and to double the number of children between 0-4 years that are accessing early childhood development services. - Sapa
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