Portfolio Committee on Social Development to Consult Communities on the Implementation of the Children’s Amendment Act
Portfolio Committee on Social Development to Consult Communities on the Implementation of the Children’s Amendment Act
28 July 2007
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development is to embark on a five - day visit to various children’s foster homes, orphanages, place of safety, adoption agencies, schools and shelters for children including the City of Tshwane and Joburg. The visit commencing on Monday 30 July 2007 in Pretoria, form part of the Portfolio Committee’s scheduled community consultation which form part of its public hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill.
The Committee is at a critical stage of concluding a comprehensive legislation intended to consolidate services to children, give effect to the constitutional rights of children, define parental rights and responsibilities, give effect to international treaties and make new provisions for the adoptions both in and out of the country. The Bill addresses key issues such as virginity testing, child headed households, giving access to contraceptives to children 12 years of age, corporal punishment, alternative care, foster care, youth care centres, sets age of majority at 18 and puts children first.
The visit will start with a briefing by the Department of Social Development, Education, Justice and Constitutional Development and Correctional Services followed by a visit to Abba House adoption agency, Tshwane place of safety, Leamogetswe Centre and Prinshof School for the Blind among others.
Next week’s visit to the selected organisations in conjunction with key government departments is a precursor for the final public hearing which will to take place from the 13 August 2007. This demonstrates Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that the public exercise their right in the legislative making processes while making democracy work, and fulfilling its constitutional imperative to consult the public on a matter which affects the society.
Issued by Hon. H I Bogopane – Zulu (MP)
Member of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development
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