Hon Chairperson, today the world community join hands in observing International Children's Day, amongst other things, to renew our commitment to improving the lives of our children around the world.
Each year, the significance of the celebration of International Children's Day lies in the fact that we examine how far we have come to better the lives of our children. This also gives us an opportunity to espouse a fresh vigour in the level of engagement so that we continue to prioritise issues which are affecting our children and continue to strive to find ways of improving their standards of living. We should also strive to improve the lives of children by seeking innovative solutions to eradicate poverty.
As we celebrate International Children's Day, it is of the utmost importance that we look very critically at our progress in promoting children's rights in this country. While it is important to co-operate and comply with international agreements, we dare not forget that our most important responsibility lies in ensuring that South African children's rights are protected at all costs.
In terms of our Constitution, there is a huge responsibility to put in place systems and to take positive action to ensure that all the rights entrenched in our Constitution do not only remain on paper but are implemented; and above all that our children should enjoy their rights.
The link between education and public health is strong. According to the Global Campaign for Education, if all children received a complete primary education, as many as 700 000 cases of HIV could be prevented each year. According to recent studies, Aids kills over two million people per year, or about one person every 15 seconds worldwide.
This death toll shockingly includes lots of children who are often infected with HIV during pregnancy or through breastfeeding. The toll is worst in Africa where million of parents have died leaving children as orphans. It is very sad that HIV and Aids deprive children of their parents.
Recent estimates put the figure of orphans in Africa in the range of 13 million to 15 million children. If children are left orphaned and are not given the care and education enjoyed by those whose parents remain uninfected, there will be an increasing inequality amongst the next generation of adults.
One of the most unfortunate responses to death in poor households is removing children from school, often because school requirements are unaffordable for the families. It is hard to overemphasise the trauma and hardship that children, who are affected by HIV and Aids, are forced to bear. The epidemic does not only cause children to lose their parents and guardians but sometimes their childhood as well.
The Inkatha Freedom Party is of the view that the South African government should expedite means to strengthen and develop community structures which can assist in providing care and protection for children from discrimination, exploitation and other physical and emotional harm.
It is extremely important that girl children have access to education. I'm saying this, very mindful of the fact that the majority of our children, especially in rural areas, are still taught under trees. These are just some of the obstacles that prevent our children from getting access to quality education.
It is important to note that women with some formal education are more likely to seek medical care to ensure that their children are immunised and will be better informed about their children's nutritional requirements. As a result, their infants and children have higher survival rates and tend to be healthier and better nourished.
The Inkatha Freedom Party is extremely concerned about the recent deaths of 17 babies in our public hospitals almost on the eve of International Children's Day and this is testimony to our day-to-day outcry that our public health facilities are not equipped to provide proper health care for all, especially the most vulnerable of our society.
The IFP calls on the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, in conjunction with other relevant clusters, to put measures in place to reduce the risk of child-trafficking during the Fifa sports extravaganza.
I wish to conclude by quoting Anne Landers when she said, and I quote:
In the final analysis, it is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.
I thank you. [Applause.]