International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day, which falls on 9 September 2017, provides a good reminder of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The City’s latest round of workshops aimed at creating awareness about this will take place next week in various areas.
The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department is hosting demonstration workshops in a bid to urge women to abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy or in cases where they think they may be pregnant.
These sessions will take place from 11 to 14 September 2017 and will be offered to all women in the Women for Change programme in various areas, including Atlantis, Khayelitsha, Factreton, Langa, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Kuils River and Mfuleni.
The Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department conducts awareness workshops and presentations aimed at women, with a special focus on empowering them with preventative information that will help combat the scourge of alcohol abuse by pregnant women in our communities. The workshops highlight the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and include a presentation as well as a baby simulator for demonstration purposes.
These workshops were initially started in 2014 and are in line with City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan focus on taking services and information directly to residents. Through education, we will be able to reduce the effects of a disease that has a negative impact on our communities and stunts the growth of children. All children have the right to a healthy mind and body, if parents are willing to make rational choices.
There is no proven safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy and drinking alcohol during pregnancy will put your baby at risk for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused when a women consumes alcohol during pregnancy and means that the baby may be born with mental and/or physical defects.
The City is working hard to create awareness and urges all residents to help spread this important message.