It may be a coincidence that this year’s Child Protection Week (29 May - 5 June) is followed very shortly by Father’s Day on 21 June. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah issued a stern challenge to men (and the rest of us) when he thundered “Learn to do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless”.
A number of men took that challenge to “Man up!” seriously and stepped out to support Lungasani Indela’s Child Protection Prayer Walk through Amaoti on Saturday 6 June. The NPO’s Faye Curtis explained: “This was the second annual walk we have arranged because our social worker and youth workers deal with so many cases of abuse, rape and neglect. The walk was to raise awareness and, hopefully, to stir people to take a stand for the younger members of our communities.” Pastor in the community, Innocent Msani, added that much of the abuse happens within families and that change has to happen within the home before all else.”
The Domino Foundation, which has a number of programmes working with young people, supported the walk. Its Chief Growth Officer, Karen Brokensha, said how delighted she was to have seen the men who were prepared to step out and take a stand for the most vulnerable among us. “So often, it is the women whose hearts are moved by the distressing stories of physical, mental and emotional violence against children. It was so encouraging to see men – fathers, grandfathers and younger males who will be fathers in time – taking to the streets carrying placards bearing slogans like ‘A child’s voice may be small, but their rights are BIG!’”
Faye added that, even though the awareness week happens every year, there are another 51 weeks when the harsh reality of abuse continues and many find it easier not to notice. “This year’s theme was ‘Working Together to End Violence Against Children’. It is the responsibility of all of us to be part of the answer to this scourge in our midst.” She can be contacted at faye@lungisani-indlela.org.za for more information on how the NPO works towards the holistic safety of children.
