Child and Youth Care students at DUT are taking the initiative to host an awareness day for children at the University’s Steve Biko Campus (Food Court), on Monday next week (26 May 2014) from 12h00 to 13h00.

National Child Protection Week (CPW) is commemorated in South Africa annually to raise awareness of the rights of children from 1 to 8 June 2014. The campaign that began in 1997 urges everyone to play a role in protecting children and creating a safe and secure environment for them. The aim of Child Protection Week is to ensure the safety, well-being, care and protection of children through an integrated multi-disciplinary approach.

To highlight the importance of this week, second-year Child and Youth Care students from the organisation Child and Youth Movement (CYCM), are hosting an event about Child Protection Week to highlight the importance of children’s safety and to create awareness regarding the kidnapping of 200 school girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram.

Co-ordinator and member of CYCM Nosihle Mdunge, said: “Government urges everyone to wear a green ribbon during Child Protection Week to show support for the promotion of the rights, care and protection of the child. So we are encouraging all students to wear a green ribbon, visit our stand and come and sign a petition which condemns the action of Boko Haram, as well as to show their support to bring back our girls. By wearing the green ribbon, it lets victims and survivors know that we are united in their support. It also emphasises the importance of partnerships to tackle child abuse, neglect and exploitation.”

– Waheeda Peters

Pictured: DUT Child and Youth Care students, Nosipho Ngubane, Nosihle Mdunge, Phindile Dube, Sikhumbuzo Gina and Mandy Chili urge students to support Child Protection Week and wear green ribbons.