Service delivery protests in South Africa are an indicator that our democracy is alive – but is it well? Are these public voices given the weight they deserve? In other words, do our experiences of public participation in governance decisions convince us that it is a fundamental principle that underpins our democracy? Or is governance still the only purvey of the government?

The public has very few formal spaces for engagement with decision-makers to shape programmes, policy, law and resource allocations. Rather, public input is subject to the discretion of officials and politicians who are the primary players in the governance process. This separation of the public from governance causes a disconnect between the reality of people’s daily struggles and the policy and programming solutions that are supposed to alleviate their plight. This disconnect is even more stark for children.

Children’s participation in governance is subject to superficial rhetoric. Children are invited to children’s parliaments that have no real decision-making power. Furthermore, it is almost impossible to trace the impact on law of children’s submissions to legislative processes. More meaningful participation of children in governance would entail affirming children’s unique knowledge about their situation. Treating children with dignity and respect will demonstrate our intentions to do away with discriminatory practices. By supporting them with child-friendly and accessible information, they will develop a fuller understanding of the world. Above all, we can facilitate engagements with adult decision-makers that are willing to listen and take their opinions seriously. 

The value of children’s participation in governance is that government services and programmes, particularly the design and resourcing of the child protection system, will become more responsive to the actual needs of children who are the intended beneficiaries. Participation in governance also enables children to build political knowledge and skills and become active citizens. In addition, children’s participation in governance will deepen a democratic culture. Sadly, this is not yet the case in South Africa.  

The status of children in society inhibits their involvement – in particular due to the patriarchal and authoritarian nature of society. It seems that we have not really moved beyond the notion that ‘children should be seen and not heard’ and the ‘innocence of childhood’ is still used as a plausible excuse for excluding children from decision-making. Children are not even considered credible informers of how they experience the world – because ‘adults know best’. There is also a general scepticism about children’s capacity to engage with the complexities of governance – even in the face of evidence that they are streaks ahead of most adults in this technologically-advanced world.

Focusing on the disempowerment of children in the process of governance provides some insights into the systemic changes required to make public participation a reality. Some of the barriers to children’s participation in governance are embedded in the prevailing structure of society that also excludes and marginalises other sectors of the population. We need to reconsider the power balance in society that continues to discriminate on the basis of sex, wealth, ability and age.

Perhaps if we start respecting the dignity of every person no matter what their age, consider the value of every contribution no matter what the life experience, build capacity for problem solving no matter how young we are, then we can create a world fit for children.

Who taught us that ‘there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children?’

– Christina Nomdo is the executive director of RAPCAN (Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect). She is a contributing author to the South African Child Gauge 2010/2011, which was released this week by the Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town. The publication focuses on the theme of children’s participation in social dialogue, and is available for download on www.ci.org.za.