In Conversation With Karen Farred CEO of Girls and Boys Town South Africa

As South Africa marks the 32nd International Day of Families, organisations working with vulnerable children are calling for greater attention to the growing impact of inequality, family instability, and social hardship on child well-being. Observed globally under the theme “Families, Inequalities and Child Well-Being,” this year’s commemoration shines a spotlight on how poverty, unemployment, violence, substance abuse, and social exclusion continue to shape the realities many children experience daily. Girls and Boys Town South Africa says child well-being remains one of the clearest indicators of whether inequality is being reduced — or reproduced — within society. The organisation warns that many vulnerable children are growing up in environments marked by instability, trauma, neglect, and limited access to opportunities, making long-term social support systems increasingly important. The organisation’s CEO, Karen Farred, says restoring dignity, trust, emotional safety, and hope is critical in helping children and families rebuild their lives. The discussion also raises broader questions around the pressures facing modern families, the role of community support structures, and whether enough is being done to protect young people from cycles of poverty and social vulnerability. South Africa continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, rising mental health concerns among young people, school dropout rates, and gender-based violence — all of which place additional strain on family structures and child development. Experts argue that investing in children’s emotional wellbeing, stable support systems, and youth development programmes is not only a social responsibility, but also essential for long-term social cohesion and national development. Instagram · Twitter