Home   >   Community   >   Another side to the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Another side to the 2010 FIFA World Cup

By on March 29, 2010

The FIFA World Cup in South Africa kicks off its first match on 11 June 2010, an eagerly anticipated event promising great fun and sporting thrills until the final match a month later. For South Africa, hosting this prestigious event is not only an honour, but also has created new opportunities for investment, employment and tourism in Africa’s leading economy. In fact, the upcoming World Cup is expected to generate $4 billion in revenue, the highest in World Cup history.   

 

Sadly, however, the World Cup’s effects on the host nation may not be only positive: An investigation into the impact of the World Cup on South Africa’s children has raised concerns about a “possible increase in the abuse, exploitation and trafficking of children” during the games. In a country where child abuse is already a serious problem – a violent crime is committed against a child in South Africa every six minutes – some fear that the 2010 FWC event will “increase the vulnerability of South African children” even further.

 

Why could the World Cup bring such trouble? Among the issues in this particular situation are that schools will be closed for an extended summer holiday; adults will likely increase their alcohol consumption, there will be a large influx of foreigners into South Africa,and border controls will be relaxed during the event. Others warn of an increase in organized crime and a desire by some to take advantage of the World Cup for economic gain.

 

The South African government and child protection agencies are trying to intervene to prevent potential abuse and trafficking of children. But success will be a struggle.  Government officials must counter the international illegal sex and human trafficking trade in the face of domestic poverty that leaves 48% of the population living off less that US $1.40/day. 

 

Over the next few months, Friends of Child Protection, a South Africa-based charity that helps children who have been abused, is launching its second annual story and drawing contest to raise awareness. Further details can be found at: www.friendsofchildprotection.com. The winning entries will be published in Tokyo Families.  

 

If you have the opportunity to attend the World Cup, please keep an eye out for the children of South Africa to ensure that they experience only the positive effects of this thrilling sporting event.

 

Kerrin Marcon is the founder of a South Africa based charity, Friends of Child Protection (FCP). She currently lives in Tokyo, Japan, where she works with a team of women who raise funds for, and awareness of, FCP.  The Tokyo team also includes Maja Cederwell, Catherine Stephenson, Karen Bautista, Aimee Weinstein, Sora Kwan and Debra Bajaj.

 

Rapid assessment of the impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on the abuse,  exploitation and trafficking of children  Mike Waters, DA Spokesman on Social Development, 10/03/2006 3 Rapid Assessment of impact of 2010 FIFA World Cup on the abuse, exploitation and trafficking of children: www.2010humantraffic.org

About TF Tribe