PRESENTATION :
NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION
FOR CHILDREN (NPAC)
“Towards
A South Africa
Fit for Children”
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INTRODUCTION
 This presentation is on the Draft National Plan of Action for
Children 2012 to 2017, which was developed by the
Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities
 It is the review of the Plan developed in 1996.
 The need and rationale for the review of 1996 National Plan
of Action for Children was presented by, among others,
changes in society, culture, technology and legal spheres
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BACKGROUND
 South Africa became signatory to the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995 – As an
obligation, she had to develop National Plan of Action for
Children – which was done in 1996
 The 1996 NPAC – was focusing on the core functions of key
departments to provide services to children – not on what
children need
 The Reviewed 2012 - 2017 NPAC framework has been
developed – embracing new legislation for children (local,
regional and international)
 Its focus is “The Child” as the central point of departure
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The Making of a Plan for Children
UNCRC,
ACRWC,UN
CRDP
MDGs
Constitution
Existing
Government
Plans and
Policies
National
Development
Plan – VISION
2030
APPROACH
 baseline information was collated on every issue and presented
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under every theme, to inform the implementation plan (e.g. child
mortality - Child Survival)
government goals – have been used as a benchmark to inform
programmes that are contributing in the achievement of
government mandate towards children
objectives were set, based on a “SMART” principle
broad national indicators were set to guide and track progress
during implementation
possible strategies / programmes were suggested to achieve the
set objectives
the roles of the lead and supporting departments in all subthemes were outlined
COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES
1.
CHILD SURVIVAL

reduction of child mortality by ensuring that babies are
born healthy and stay alive;
 keeping children healthy by providing good nutrition
for
them;
 ensuring that children living with HIV and AIDS live longer;
2. CHILD DEVELOPMENT
This area ensures that: all children grow, learn and develop to
be the best persons that they can be:
 the need for stimulation of children;
 access to early childhood development;
 quality of education of children in schools;
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COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES
(Cont)
 disabled children and their access to education;
 children in rural and urban areas and access to services;
 children and the importance of creating opportunities for
play as a requirement for their development, etc.
3. PROTECTION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN
Keeping children safe and taking care of them:
 how to protect and support children who are victims of
abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence;
 protecting children from rape and sexual abuse;
 children who are orphans/without parents; (OVC)
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COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES
(Cont)
 children living on the streets;
 children who are in conflict with the law;
 child-headed families;
 children living in children’s homes/alternative care;
 The plight of refugee children, unaccompanied minor;
4. STANDARD OF LIVING OF CHILDREN IN S.A.
This area focuses on key services - to provide quality care to
children:
 taking care of children who are poor;
 Improving the conditions of accommodation/ shelter/
houses that children live in;
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COMPONENTS: SUB-THEMES
(Cont)
 children’s access to clean water and hygiene;
 clean and safe cities, towns and communities;
 parks and recreational facilities for children;
 children receiving material support and food security
(social security)
5. CHILD PARTICIPATION
 participation in policy making in government, good
governance in different sectors and communities;
 children exercising their rights as guided by the
responsibilities that go with the rights
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INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Leadership:
 Cabinet - oversee translation of NPAC into Sectoral Policies
and Programmes;
 National Planning Commission and Dept. of Performance,
Monitoring and Evaluation – alignment
Coordination of Processes:
 DWCPD, NPAC Steering Committee and Ministerial
Advisory Council on Children
Advocacy and Mainstreaming:
 National and Provincial Depts., Municipalities, Civil Society
and Public
Child Participation:
 Ensuring that real needs of children are addressed;
Monitoring the implementation
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WORK DONE
 The NPAC structure was done with other departments
 Workshops were organized for national and provincial
departments, civil society, Children’s rights machinery and
children themselves – inputs were consolidated
 Had a meeting with a Team of Experts to refine the
document on 19 April 2012
 NPAC was tabled at the DGs meetings and inputs
incorporated:
- Social Cluster meetings on 13 June and 18 July 2012
- Governance and Administration Cluster meetings on 21
June and 19 July 2012
- Justice Cluster meeting of 02 October 2012
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Child-Friendly NPAC
developed - Inputs on 5 Nov
2011, National Children’s
Day
WAY FORWARD
 Continue to refine the documents based on inputs
 Emerging issues of children, e.g. harmful cultural practices,
mainstreaming of Early Childhood Development to all children,
the spate of violence against children etc, to be considered as
crucial
 Final document to be circulated to HODs for endorsement
 Release NPAC as public document during post the Cabinet
approval
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