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'When will I be free': Lessons from COVID-19 for Child Protection in South Africa
Sadiyya Haffejee1, Diane Thembekile Levine2
1Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannebsurg, South Africa.
Insights
Children in South African residential care facilities experienced social isolation during COVID-19 but felt safe and had resources to cope. A coordinated systemic response is needed for child welfare, addressing inequality and improving care.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Work
Background:
- COVID-19 amplified structural inequalities and exposed shortcomings in child protection in South Africa.
- Children in alternative care face heightened risks due to disrupted service delivery during the pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation on the wellbeing and protection of children in residential care.
- To understand children's lived experiences during the national lockdown.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, participatory research using draw-and-write methods.
- Engaged 32 children (average age 13.5 years) in a Gauteng residential care facility.
Main Results:
- Children were aware of community socio-economic challenges and concerned about family.
- They expressed frustration over limited family contact but recognized facility resources for safety and coping.
- Children's wellbeing and protection were influenced by pandemic-related social isolation.
Conclusions:
- A systemic, coordinated response from policymakers and child welfare systems is crucial.
- Addressing structural inequalities is essential for adequate child welfare, both during and after the pandemic.
- The study highlights the need for improved child protection systems in South Africa.
Background:
COVID-19 has highlighted and amplified structural inequalities; drawing attention to issues of racism, poverty, xenophobia as well as arguably ineffective government policies and procedures. In South Africa, the pandemic and the resultant national lockdown have highlighted the shortcomings in the protection and care of children. Children in alternative care are particularly at risk as a result of disrupted and uncoordinated service delivery.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impact of the pandemic and the resulting social isolation on the wellbeing and protection of children living in a residential care facility.
Methods And Participants:
We used qualitative, participatory approaches - specifically draw-and-write methods - to engage with 32 children (average age = 13.5 years) living in a residential care facility in Gauteng.
Findings:
Children in care demonstrated an awareness of the socio-economic difficulties facing communities in South Africa, and shared deep concerns about the safety, well-being and welfare of parents and siblings. Although they expressed frustration at the lack of contact with family members, they acknowledged the resources they had access to in a residential care facility, which enabled them to cope and which ensured their safety.
Discussion And Conclusion:
We focus our discussion on the necessity of a systemic response to child welfare, including a coordinated approach by policy makers, government departments and child welfare systems to address the structural factors at the root of inequality and inadequate, unacceptable care. This response is essential not only during COVID-19 but also in pre- and post-pandemic context.
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