Madam Deputy Speaker, we have entered a period in which we are reminded daily that our children are under siege. They are victims of phantom criminals, of family violence and sexual abuse. It is a matter of urgency that we share the collective responsibility of ensuring that their right to be protected is fiercely guarded.
Unicef reports that there are 246 million children engaged in exploitative child labour; 140 million children who have never been to school; 300 000 soldiers - some child soldiers as young as eight years old. [Interjections.]
Order! I think it is very clear that there are people who are committed to disrupting the sitting this afternoon. Just be warned that we are not going to allow that. Even if we remain with very few people who are committed to the proceedings, we will do so. We are not going to be derailed by anyone who has an agenda that this House should not continue with its business. You have Rules, hon members, and I really beg you to use them. If you feel that a hon member is out of order, you should rise on a point of order and refer us to a specific Rule and we will then take it from there.
But, we are not going to allow people to just scream at speakers who are making statements here. Sometimes, before a person has even completed a statement, people already start howling. We are not going to allow that. We have a very, very long day ahead of us, hon members, and we want to be with people who are committed to this day.
Those who would like to take an early holiday, if they do not want to leave on their own, they will be made to leave. I hope that is clear, hon members. Mr Solo, I missed everything that you said from the beginning, so would you please start that statement again?
Madam Deputy Speaker ...
You are rising on what point, Mr Chauke?
Last time I raised a point on the closing of the bar in that area.
You are out of order. Please sit down. [Laughter.] He actually refers to a bar of advocates. [Laughter.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, once more we have entered a period in which we are reminded daily that our children are under siege. They are victims of phantom criminals, of family violence and sexual abuse. It is a matter of urgency that we share the collective responsibility of ensuring that their right to be protected is fiercely guarded.
Unicef reports that there are 246 million children engaged in exploitative child labour; 140 million children who have never been to school; 300 000 soldiers, and some child soldiers are as young as eight years old. Since 1994, the ANC-led government has made significant progress in realising children's rights. These include the ratification of numerous international instruments dealing with the protection of children's rights.
The ANC takes a rights-based approach to children, which implies the acknowledgment and honouring of the full scope of their rights, namely political, social and economic. That must be promoted and protected to achieve the wellbeing of all children.
We believe it is only by locating children firmly within the national, social and economic development framework that we can address children's concerns in a comprehensive and holistic way. The ANC calls on all South Africans to take responsibility for providing a supportive environment in which children can fully enjoy their rights. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Time expired.]
Hon Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I just want to know whether it is parliamentary that when you have served in Parliament for 30 years you have the authority to put on a hat. [Laughter.]
Yes, it is and it has nothing to do with how long you have served. [Laughter.] If an hon member is as handsome as Mr Van der Merwe, and so well dressed, we should say so. [Laughter.] [Applause.]