The children’s participation process: Towards a South African child labour programme, 2003

Glynnis Clacherty and Debbie Budlender (process run in 2003; report printed 2004)

Children’s experiences of work, as recounted in a series of workshops held in three provinces, helped to shape the proposals for action contained in South Africa’s Child Labour Programme of Action (CLPA).

This document describes the process of consultation and captures, in the words of participating children, the reality of the work they do and their feelings about their situation.

In all, 10 workshops were held, eight with children in the 12 to 14 year age group, and two with children aged between 15 and 17 years. Some workshops were run for children from urban areas and others for residents of rural areas.

In general, working children from urban areas had responsibilities that were relatively light and allowed them time to attend school regularly and to play. Children in the rural areas frequently reported a much heavier burden of work.

The document also outlines two further processes of consultation with children:

• A report back to half of the children who participated in the initial workshops to inform them of the proposals in the draft programme of action on child labour. These proposals were outlined in a clear and simple way and children were asked what they thought about them. In a number of instances children suggested additions or modifications to the proposals.
• A wider consultation was undertaken with about 2 500 children in Grade 7 in about 50 schools across the country. Their views were obtained on what forms of work were unacceptable for children of various age groups.
  

Full text
Children’s participation process