Pretoria – Cabinet has approved the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework Strategy, says Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe.
The policy focuses on advancing and promoting health outcomes, especially the sexual and reproductive health of young people.
The strategy will further ensure an improved coordination, synergy and alignment with the programme of government, civil society and development partners that already work in the area of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
The Minister on Thursday, during a post-Cabinet briefing, said the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Population Policy will oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the strategy.
Early Childhood Development Policy
Minister Radebe said Cabinet had also approved the publication of the draft Early Childhood Development Policy in the Government Gazette.
The policy forms part of the South African Integrated Programme of Action for Early Childhood Development – Moving ahead 2013-2016, approved by Cabinet on 18 September 2013.
“The policy provides a framework for government’s accountability to provide a comprehensive package of quality Early Childhood Development services that would be universally available in sufficient quantities and proximity so that all children enjoy an equal opportunity to access them,” Minister Radebe said.
This policy, the Minister said, also introduces a number of new services to fill gaps identified in the range of services currently available especially within the first 1 000 days of a child’s life.
Cabinet also approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach.
Meanwhile, Cabinet approved the release of the Draft First Periodic Country report on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of persons with Disabilities for public comment for a period of 20 days.
The report covers the period April 2012 – March 2013. – SAnews.gov.za
