Consulting
Consulting to government, schools and NGOs about child protection legislation, policy and practice, and school talks
Research
Research about child protection challenges and solutions, and policy development. Story telling
Communication
Written and verbal communication on child protection.
Facilitating and promoting child participation
Our Services
For the Voiceless researches the most important areas impacting vulnerable children including abuse, abandonment, adoption, foster care, child homicide, trafficking, early childhood development, institutional care, health and hunger and undocumented children; consults to families, communities, schools, politicians and NGOs working with vulnerable children about how to mitigate their vulnerability and act in their best interests; and communicates about what children need and how we can meet those needs.
Work with advocacy & research groups
South Africa is not a country with an established culture of lobbying. However, advocacy groups like Section 27, Equal Education, Equal Education Law Centre, the Children’s Institute, Donald Gordon Murray Trust, Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Forum and Centre for Child Law are increasingly using their influence to interact with parliament and executive departments in government to change legislation and policy. In addition, child protection organisations and activists have combined forces to form focal advocacy networks like the National Adoption Coalition of South Africa, Baby Savers SA and the South African National Child Rights Coalition to liaise with all forms of government.
For the Voiceless has partnered with many of these key advocacy and research organisations on projects that explore the impact of the South African legislative framework, challenge policy and practice that don’t promote the best interests of children and facilitate improved child-related approaches.
Support of child-focused NGOs and service providers
In addition, For the Voiceless liaises with the NGOs and service providers that support children. The PBO highlights some of the biggest challenges these non-profits face, and helps them to obtain the support needed to continue providing their essential services.
Empowering children to find their voices
Most importantly, For the Voiceless works with children, enabling them to find or amplify their voices and tell their stories, and empowering them to challenge decision makers when they do not act in their best interests, to support other children and to promote change.
No one knows what countries will look like post-covid-19, but what is certain is that existing flaws in our society are likely to be magnified. The pandemic has highlighted South Africa’s lack of strategic focus on children, and their vulnerability and the immense need for organisations that will support and promote their best interests.
Consulting with political parties
It currently consults to three political parties about areas where children’s rights are not being upheld, either because of legislation, regulations, policies or practices, and how these can be addressed. For the Voiceless has partnered with many of these key advocacy and research organisations on projects that explore the impact of the South African legislative framework, challenge policy and practice that don’t promote the best interests of children and facilitate improved child-related approaches.
School consultations
For the Voiceless assists staff, teachers, parents and learners to understand important areas of child protection and how they are applied in homes and schools.
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