What is the 'South African Child Gauge'?
The South African Child Gauge is an annual publication of the Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town. It aims to report on and monitor the situation of children in South Africa, in particularly the realisation of their rights. The publication focuses on a different theme each year.
A number of key features are included every year:
- A series of essays on a theme to inform, focus – and sometimes direct – national dialogue on an issue which has particular impact on children’s rights in South Africa.
- A summary of legislative developments pertaining to children’s rights in the year under review.
- A Children Count – Abantwana Babalulekile data section which tracks statistics on the demographics of children, and their access to social assistance, education, housing, health and other services;
- A VIP’s reflections on the theme and the status of children in South Africa.
Why is there a need for it?
The South African Child Gauge is the only publication which gives an annual snap-shot of the status of South Africa’s children and critically examines the links between their reality, South Africa’s commitment to child rights, and society’s progress in this regard.
This is done through evidence-based commentary on the situation of children, and a unique set of child-centred data. The set of socio-economic indicators aims at gauging improvements in the situation of children over time.
Who is the target audience?
The South African Child Gauge presents research evidence in an accessible, non-academic format. It is aimed at multiple audiences: Government decision-makers, policy-makers and programme planners; academics, researchers and students; donors and corporate social investment units; and civil society, in particular children’s sector organisations; the news media; and human rights watchdogs such as the South African Human Rights Commission.