On Friday, the Gauteng Department of Social Development took the parenting skills workshop to the community of Ratanda in Sedibeng. More than 600 parents, foster parents, and caregivers gathered at Ratanda Community Hall to receive more knowledge on parenting skills.
According to the Social Worker Buyiswa Sikhafungana the programme is aimed at educating, empowering and equipping parents and caregivers with coping mechanisms which will enable them to be more positive and responsible towards children's needs, care and support.
"Child neglect, abandonment and abuse has been on the increase because parents are not equipped with knowledge and support in child rearing, discipline, children's rights, as well as their responsibilities and rights to cope with the daily challenges of child upbringing, while not being capacitated," said Sikhafungana.
She added that children displaced by conflict, persecution, and economic pressures are exposed to multiple risks to their physical, social, and emotional development. Positive parenting and family functioning can protect children from these negative effects, and contribute to improved outcomes in spite of adversity.
"A parenting group can also simply provide a safe space for parents to share challenges and give advice to one another. Having a safe space to talk about worries and concerns can improve caregivers' wellbeing and reduce stress".