Community and schools unite for Child Protection Week awareness
Pupils and staff from Merrydale Primary and Springdale Primary School, with members of the Arisen Women Foundation members, holding up placard to create awareness around child abuse, neglect, and trafficking.
Image: Supplied
Arisen Women Foundation hosted a demonstration as part of a campaign for South Africa’s annual Child Protection Week, which took place from Thursday, May 29 until today, Thursday, June 5.
On Monday June 3 they gathered on the corner of Highlands Drive at the Johannes Meintjies traffic light, in front of Merrydale Primary School.
Child Protection Week raises awareness about children's rights and safety.
Pupils and staff from Merrydale Primary School and Springdale Primary School stood with Arisen Women Foundation members, holding placards of awareness around child abuse, neglect, and trafficking.
"Every child has the right to be heard, seen, and believed,” said Arisen Women member Chelsey Pretorius.
Founded in 2001, Arisen Women promotes community upliftment through care and support.
Aisen Women Foundation hosted a gathering on Wednesday June 4 to create awareness around Child Protection Week.
Image: Supplied
“We work in this community every day. We see the abuse, the neglect, the injustice that our children face. So today, we stepped out of our building and onto the street to say: enough is enough. We did this for our children,” she said.
They encouraged the community to stand up for children’s rights and take action when children are at risk. The campaign highlighted that children are not only vulnerable members of society but also its future leaders, deserving of dignity, safety, and care.
“Too often, abuse goes unseen or unspoken. Events like this help break the silence. They empower children, and they challenge adults to take responsibility,” Ms Pretorius said.
Aldrin Scheepers, a teacher at Merrydale Primary School, said: "As educators, it’s our duty to protect and empower children. We must be active agents of change - raising awareness and standing up against the daily reality of child abuse."
Jasmien Daniels, a member of Arisen Women, said: "We work closely with many children. I see myself as a mother figure—listening, supporting, and ensuring they’re safe. We feed over 100 children and raise awareness so parents and pupils speak up when something feels wrong."
For more information contact Arisen Women Foundation Ms Pretorius on 021 371 1175 or email them on impact@arisenwomen.org.za.