ACDP will vote against Childrens Bill

Cheryllyn Dudley, MP


The ACDP will be voting against the Children’s Bill to be adopted in the portfolio committee in Parliament, said Social Development Spokesperson, Cheryllyn Dudley.

“We have been following the long awaited bill which has raised expectations of many who work with children daily,” said Dudley.

“This legislation will repeal several bills. The ACDP recognizes the importance and need for this legislation which attempts to increase and strengthen child protection through various measures including a child protection register and addressing issues like; trafficking in children, child abduction, adoption and children’s courts.”

Dudley, who listed reasons for the party’s objections, continued: “We object, however, to various clauses in the bill which are of great concern,”

- The bill provides for 12-year-old children to carry the responsibility of consenting to medical treatment and surgical operations including termination of pregnancy.
- It also makes provision for 12-year-olds to access contraception without parental consent.
- This legislation also confirms the court judgment allowing same-sex partners to adopt children.

“Children’s Rights organizations have continued to express concerns that the ‘watered down’ version of the Children’s Bill will not be as effective as they had hoped. Lack of consultation between the departments of Social Development and Justice was perceived to be a stumbling block and this was confirmed later during a visit by the Minister of Social Development, Zola Skweyiya and the Deputy Minister of Justice, Johnny de Lange to a meeting of the portfolio committee. The committee was told that amendments made by the committee, apart from those submitted by Justice would not be entertained and must be scratched. Apparently the Deputy Minister of Justice had very belatedly become aware of the work being done on the bill which would affect the justice committee.” said Dudley