Programme Director
Honourable Premier, Ms. Sylvia Lucas
Honourable MEC responsible for Education, Me Barbara Bartlett
Honorable Mayor
Councilors
Esteemed Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Our Country is gripped in a crises that impacts on every member of society. Our Communities is gripped by fear and desperate for a solution to end violence against those most vulnerable. The killing of our children and women needs to stop and it needs to stop now. The purpose of this gathering is exactly that. It is a call to action. It’s a call for help. And it is a call to wake up and stand together as we do today.

We have come together to not only mobilize communities and civil society to help in the fight against violence, abuse and other societal ills, but we have come together to launch Child Protection Week which runs from 28 May 2017 to 4 June 2017. When I say we are launching the programme, I merely open the administrative program where one week is set aside to highlight the rights and challenges faced by our future leaders. Child Protection is an everyday responsibility. The Almighty God has entrusted the life and wellbeing of each and every child to us as parents and it is our responsibility to do good on that that God has entrusted to us.
On Sunday, Government led by the Department of Social Development - the custodians of the Children's Act, - launched Child Protection Week. This annual campaign under the theme: "Let us all Protect Children to Move South Africa Forward" seeks to raise awareness and educate society about the rights and responsibilities of Children. South Africans are encouraged to report child abuse at the 24 hour Gender Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428 or *120*7867#
National Child Protection Week is marked annually to raise awareness for the rights of children. It aims to mobilize all sectors of society to care for and protect children. Child Protection Week allows us to shine a spotlight on children’s issues; highlight successes and identify what still needs to be done.
The campaign is led by the Minister of Social Development; however it is incumbent on all of South Africans to play a role in protecting children and creating a safe and secure environment for them.
We have heeded that call and we are present not only today, but we are here to boldly declare that we are committed to the cause. We are here today to boldly declare that no woman or child will be harmed in my care or presence. Not In My Name shall another young women be murdered, raped or abused. We are gathered here because we have had enough and we realize that this fight alone we cannot fight. We all, every one of us need one another to make this country a safe, peaceful and prosperous one.
As a society we have a duty to do more to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society do not suffer abuse. It is in our hands to stop the cycle of neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation of children. By working together we can create safer and healthier communities so that our women, children and all of us can live in peace and security.

Thank you