Children behind bars project rolled out in Limpopo

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Hlengiwe Mkhize, is to take a project which focuses on the well-being and protection of children behind bars to the Limpopo province on Friday.

The Imbeleko Project on Babies Behind Bars will be rolled out at the Polokwane Correctional Centre in Limpopo. It was officially launched in the Eastern Cape on 26 August.

The project is aimed at creating a climate conducive to the developmental needs of children during their first two years of life in correctional facilities. It is an intervention by the South African government to extend human rights to children and mothers behind bars.

The roll-out takes place at an important time when people are reminded of women who are victims of gender-based violence and abuse, during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.

According to the department, some women are forgotten in incarceration for offences triggered by sexual abuse and rights' violations

Mkhize will on Friday visit the female offender section of the facility, accompanied by Deputy Chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Khosi Vusani Netshimbupfe, where she will have an opportunity to interact with the offenders and their babies.