Child abandonment and the legal challenge of baby savers

The Talking Point

As we kick off Child Protection month, we unpack a developing story unfolding on child abandonment. Every year, 3500 newborns are abandoned. We have read reports on how babies are abandoned in pit latrines, in bushes, rubbish dump, and storm drains. Baby Savers are a safe alternative to unsafe baby abandonment and is an extra option for a parent who has been failed or abandoned by family, communities and the system.

This past Friday, Baby Savers South Africa and 40 network members appeared in the Pretoria High Court for the court application where they are challenging the ban of baby saver devices issued in Gauteng by the Department of Social Development

back in October 2023 and the reregistration of Door of Hope. This is not the first time government has made babysavers illegal. The National Adoption Coalition of South Africa has launched a constitutional bid to reform the Children's Act in order to protect destitute parents in distress. Since the ban, 7 baby-saving organizations have been affected. The country only has 45 baby-saving organizations.

Guest: Dr. Whitney Rosenberg - Baby Savers SA