NPO protects human rights through harm reduction
Whether protecting the underaged from the dangers of alcohol, improving road safety by preventing alcohol-related crashes or ensuring safe pregnancies, harm reduction is a collective responsibility that demands urgent action.
As SA observed Human Rights Day, the NPO AWARE.org (the Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education) calls on society to recognise that the rights to life, health, and safety are fundamentally linked to responsible alcohol consumption and harm reduction efforts.
Whether protecting the underaged from the dangers of alcohol, improving road safety by preventing alcohol-related crashes or ensuring safe pregnancies, harm reduction is a collective responsibility that demands urgent action.
SA faces one of the highest rates of alcohol-related harm globally, affecting families, communities and the most vulnerable. From underage drinking to the devastating effects of drunk driving and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), alcohol misuse continues to violate the fundamental rights of those it affects.
“A child’s right to a safe, healthy future is non-negotiable. Yet, underage drinking remains a crisis in SA, exposing young people to academic failure, mental health issues and increased vulnerability to violence and addiction,” says Mokebe Thulo, the CEO of AWARE.org.
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“On this Human Rights Day, we urge parents, educators, and communities to stand firm in saying #NoToUnder18 and to work together to prevent access to alcohol among minors.”
With SA having the highest reported prevalence of FASDs in the world, AWARE.org is driving awareness around the importance of zero alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is 100% preventable, yet its effects are lifelong and irreversible, impacting a person’s cognitive development, behaviour and ability to thrive.
“No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, and every child has the right to be born free of preventable harm,” adds Thulo.
“As a society, we must empower and support expectant mothers with the right information and resources to make healthy choices for their babies.”
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Every year, thousands of South Africans lose their lives to alcohol-related road crashes, leaving families devastated and communities in mourning. Drunk driving is not just reckless; it’s a human rights issue that endangers innocent lives.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Choosing not to drink and drive is respecting the right to life of every road user,” says Thulo.
“Human Rights Day is a reminder that the right to life begins when we enter the world. Protecting this right also means safeguarding children from underage drinking, ensuring alcohol-free pregnancies to prevent FASD and promoting responsible alcohol choices. As we mark this day, we call on every South African to make the right choice – never drink and drive, say #NoToUnder18, and support zero alcohol during pregnancy.”
AWARE.org remains committed to working alongside government, industry stakeholders and communities to create a safer, healthier SA through responsible alcohol consumption and harm reduction.
