children's participation

The KwaZulu-Natal school which received a zero percent matric pass rate has had no principal since 2000 and has only six teachers -- three of whom were temporary, an education union said on Wednesday.

Zuzanawe High School in northern KwaZulu-Natal was one of the province’s four schools to receive a zero percent matric pass rate during the 2009 examinations.

South Africa faces an enormous unemployment challenge. The problem is particularly concentrated among the country’s youth, for whom lack of experience is all too often compounded by lack of skills. The result is a growing cohort of young people with severely limited access to formal sector employment, and limited means to do anything about it.

At some point in our childhood or adulthood for that matter, we may have experienced some kind of bullying or harassment or violence or we know of someone who has survived these and other types of violence. Through campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and the work of organisations in the violence against women sector, many of us know what our rights are and where to go for help. But what happens when this violence happens in cyberspace? Do we know enough to protect ourselves from harm? Do girls and young women know of the potential dangers in online spaces?

Author(s): 

Nicolle Beeby

According to figures from the Stats SA website – you should go there – it offers really cool ways to play with population data) based on their 2008 mid-year population estimate, children account for between 39% and 43% of South Africa’s population.

That seems quite a lot. Seriously. Zambia has more: 52% of Zambia’s population are children - incredible! If we look at the news, we certainly wouldn’t have any idea that children make up such a huge chunk of the population.

Child Care South Africa [previously known as Inkanyezi Child & Family Welfare Society], is a registered non-profit organisation that provides comprehensive, quality services to children living in poverty. It was established in 1995 as a network of crèches, and in 2002 changed focus from being a networking organisation to becoming a service provider to children in distress. As a child welfare society the organisation was mostly involved in statutory work, and realised that clients could not afford to come to our offices for assistance.

The Guide for Media Practitioners on the Reporting and Coverage of Cases Involving Children, is intended to raise media awareness on issues concerning the rights of children. Released by the Philippines’ Special Committee for the Protection of Children, the guide also seeks to reinforce journalistic standards.

For more information, click here (PDF).

Gender equality occupies a central space in the NGO landscape, with organisations increasingly incorporating gender into their programming, be it around land, human rights or access to justice. There is also recognition of the potential that technology can play in achieving gender equality. Women’sNet was established to promote access to and the strategic use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) for women’s development.