The legislation for baby savers was placed back in the spotlight after the body of a newborn baby was found in Cape Town last week.
Western Cape Commissioner for Children, Christina Nomdo, met with Lucinda Evans, Executive Director of Philisa Abafazi Bethu (Heal our Women), in Lavender Hill on Tuesday 24 February.
In 2018, a baby saver was installed in Lavender Hill. A baby saver is a space where mothers who want to give up their babies can safely do so without causing physical harm to the child.
Nomdo said the meeting was held to talk about the safe relinquishment of babies.
“Today we visited Philisa Abafazi Bethu run by visionary Lucinda Evans. We spoke about safe relinquishment of babies, emergency safe houses for teens and end-of-term pregnant women.”
Last week Monday (23 February), the body of a newborn baby was found in the Cape Town city centre.
Lucinda Evans, an activist for women and children’s rights, said baby savers did not only save an infant’s life but also the mother’s life.
“Today I met with the Child Commissioner and had a deep conversation about the legalisation of baby savers and child protection. The Safe Relinquishing Law of the baby saver services is where babies are saved and it prevents women from dumping their babies. So both lives are saved.”
She added that other communities such as Delft and Kuils River were also in need of a baby saver.
“We also need end-of-term emergency safe houses for pregnant women in distress and more emergency safe houses for youth at risk between 13 years and 17 years.”
