Human Rights organisations call for child support grant age limit to be extended

By Cindy Witten
20 October 2008


The Black Sash, in partnership with other Human Rights organisations, will tomorrow hand over a petition to parliament, signed by over 12 000 supporters, imploring that the age limit of children eligible for child support grants be extended to 18 years old.

Advocacy program manager at the black Sash, Elroy Paulus, believes that it is vital for the age limit to be extended. “The Black Sash believes that the extension of the child support grant from 14 to 18 is absolutely critical for teenagers wanting to complete school. The child support grant for children and young people in this age group, the constitution defining a child up to the age of 18, is absolutely for us to develop a skilled economy,” said Paulus.

Selwyn Jehoma, Deputy Director General of Social Development, as well as a representative from the Ministry of Finance, will accept the 2500 page petition. The petition is expected to be handed over before 11am tomorrow.

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