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South African Child Gauge 2021/2022

Our flagship publication, the South African Child Gauge, has been a finalist for a National Science and Technology Forum Award. The 2021/22 Gauge, the 16th edition to be published, focuses attention on child and adolescent mental health.

Adversity increases children’s risk for mental health problems

Statement: June 1 is the intersection of Child Protection Week and Youth Month. We call on government to put the human and financial resources in place to deliver on the right to mental health services. Sign our petition!

Researchers from five different countries gathered for a research partner meeting.

Improving early learning for pre-school children in vulnerable contexts

Research partner meeting: We hosted a week-long, multi-country research partner meeting in May 2023, focusing on improving early learning for pre-school children in vulnerable contexts.

A highlight of the information provided inside the booklet.

CI and LRC create resource explaining how to apply for a child grant without a birth certificate or caregiver ID

Resource: We’ve partnered with the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) to create an easy-to-read booklet that explains how to apply for a grant for a child that does not have a birth certificate, or if the child’s caregiver does not have an ID.

Joint statement: Children’s Institute in court as amicus curiae in case against Department of Home Affairs

The Children’s Institute will be in court on 20 and 21 September, as amicus curiae in a case against the Department of Home Affairs, to highlight the severe harms to children when parents’ IDs are wrongly “blocked”.

Front cover of isiXhosa version of Regulation 13 child grants booklet

Now in isiXhosa: our resource explaining how to apply for a child grant without a birth certificate or caregiver ID

Now translated into isiXhosa: Our guide explaining how to apply for a grant for a child that does not have a birth certificate, or if the child’s caregiver does not have an identity document (ID). Created in partnership with the LRC.

Preventing violence against young children: A scoping review of interventions in low- and middle-income countries

New report: This scoping review aims to map promising programmatic approaches and interventions to prevent violence against children in the early years in low- and middle-income countries.

Improving early learning for pre-school children in vulnerable contexts

Research partner meeting: We hosted a week-long, multi-country research partner meeting in May 2023, focusing on improving early learning for pre-school children in vulnerable contexts.

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Children's Institute in the news

Parents with block IDs unable to register their children's births eNCA, 20 September 2023
Fate of children who are victims of parent’s IDs being “blocked” by Department of Home Affairs GroundUp, 18 September 2023
Home Affairs taken to court over blocked IDs Business Day, 18 September 2023
Child malnutrition Cape Talk, 24 July 2023
Advertising of unhealthy foodstuffs Mail&Guardian, 14 July 2023
How COVID lockdowns affected teens’ state of mind Bhekisisa, 21 June 2023
Mental health challenges could risk a generation eNCA, 1 June 2023
Child protection NGOs say they face closure, unless funding increases News24, 30 May 2023
Child Protection Week: Western Cape organisations at breaking point SABC Morning Live, 30 May 2023

South African Child Gauge 2021/2022

Adversity increases children’s risk for mental health problems

Improving early learning for pre-school children in vulnerable contexts

CI and LRC create resource explaining how to apply for a child grant without a birth certificate or caregiver ID

Joint statement: Children’s Institute in court as amicus curiae in case against Department of Home Affairs

Now in isiXhosa: our resource explaining how to apply for a child grant without a birth certificate or caregiver ID

Preventing violence against young children: A scoping review of interventions in low- and middle-income countries

Improving early learning for pre-school children in vulnerable contexts

Children's Institute in the news

Featured publications

Shifting attitudes and behaviours underpinning physical punishment of children

School violence review

Intersections research report

Policy brief series: Child poverty (early childhood development, children and violence)

South African early childhood review 2017

Children's Act guide for health professionals