Child Gauge spotlights new Children's Act

Rights in focus: The South African Child Gauge 2007/2008 was launched this week by UCT's Children's Institute. The editors are (from left) Lucy Jamieson, Jo Monson, Paula Proudlock, Charmaine Smith and Miri Dutschke

The South African Child Gauge 2007/2008, launched this week by UCT's Children's Institute, celebrates the new Children's Act, which gives children a constitutional right to social services.

The Gauge contains a series of essays, including an overview of the current situation, and describes how the new act offers hope in resolving the current crisis in providing social services to children.

"It is a pioneering step forward," says Paula Proudlock of the Children's Institute. "The act provides the strong legislative foundation that will enable the country to respond adequately to the needs of vulnerable children."

Using the best available national data, derived from the General Household Survey, the Child Gauge provides an annual snapshot of South Africa's progress in realising children's constitutional rights, such as their access to socio-economic entitlements, including health care, water, electricity, housing, and education.

Download the South African Child Gauge.