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Save the Children welcomes the recent announcement by the South African government of to extend the Child Support Grant (CSG) to eligible children between the ages of 15 to 18 years which will see an increase in the number of children accessing the grant by 2012.
"Children in South Africa face numerous challenges on a daily basis, but it is refreshing to note there is a government paying attention to the needs of its children especially during these tough economic times," said Mr. Timothy Bainbridge, Save the Children Sweden Regional Director for Southern Africa. "We view this as one way of easing the burden of poverty on children," he added.
The South African cabinet recently announced that the Child Support Grant for 16 year-olds will start on 1 January 2010, 17years by 2011 and 18years by January 2012. These grants will benefit children from poor households.
Mr. Bainbridge added that whenever the issue of child rights is raised, they are still many governments who view it as a low priority when in fact it is at the core of any meaningful and sustainable development of a country. "A country whose children have access to their rights to health, education, food, shelter, play, participation and all the basic rights is surely investing in its development," he added.
Save the Children supports organisations and networks that work for children's rights and focuses on creating an enabling environment for children to enjoy their rights by encouraging the elimination of violence and abuse of children, poverty reduction, promotion of non-discriminatory practice and child participation. To prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and mitigate against its impact on the lives of the children, Save the Children supports programme to enhance children's knowledge on their sexual and reproductive health rights and promoting dialogue among boys and girls on HIV and AIDS, masculinity, sexuality and gender equality.
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For more information please contact: Tapiwa Gomo: Regional Communications Officer, Save the Children Sweden: +27 82 8880341, +27 12430428 or email tapiwag@saf.savethechildren.se
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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