I apologise for that, Chairperson.
This project focuses on young people and their parents to empower them in preventing teenage pregnancies in our communities. This project also involves dialogue with young men and boys in order to create awareness that they have a contribution to make in the prevention of teenage pregnancy. There is a growing awareness that early childbearing has multiple consequences with regard to maternal health, child health and the overall wellbeing of society. Thus, the prevention of unwanted teenage pregnancy is one of the key goals of the Western Cape government.
Another focus of the Western Cape government is the programme that aims at combating alcohol and drug abuse. It becomes an even bigger burden when the young female, who is already living in poverty, might be unemployed and pregnant and then starts abusing alcohol or drugs.
The Western Cape government takes a transversal approach to addressing the problem of substance abuse. In the past year, two new drug treatment centres have been opened and a new school-based outpatient treatment programme has been started. The prevention of the abuse of substances is part of addressing the challenges facing children in society today.
Apart from addressing challenges such as poverty and nutrition, the awareness of substance abuse is very important. With this in mind, programmes such as the Chrysalis Academy model are important. It identifies youth at risk of abusive or violent behaviour and allows them to undergo a residential programme for three months before they re-enter their communities to make a positive impact on them.
One of the most affected groups serviced by this Ministry is children. Too often it is said that children are the future of the country. Yet, these vulnerable and innocent young people are in danger, get hurt and are robbed of their rights.
Children have the right to develop to their full potential, as well as the right to survival and protection. Thus, a protective environment must be created in which children are safe from abuse and exploitation and able to develop. Nelson Mandela once said, "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."
Society has the responsibility to ensure that children are not becoming and remaining the vulnerable group that the research is already calling them. For children to prosper, opportunities for them to develop in a safe and stable environment must be created. Addressing the challenges that children face must often also be addressed at other levels, and other problem areas must be approached more inclusively.
For example, to offer a child a more secure and stable environment in which to develop, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, violence against women and children, maintenance, education, etc must all be addressed and approached as part of the problem and the solution.
Young women and girl-children are often part of the target group of human trafficking, and everything possible must be done in order to address and curb the problem.
Our Constitution safeguards the rights of all citizens in South Africa, and one may not discriminate, directly or indirectly, against disabled people. However, discrimination still prevents disabled people from becoming full members of society who can enjoy the benefits and the rights that have been bestowed upon them as citizens. Many of the statutes must be reviewed in order to allow disabled people to access and enjoy their constitutional rights.
In conclusion, I like the Minister's idea in the opening of her speech, addressing the rural areas, because I am also from a rural area in the Western Cape. Thank you. [Applause.]