BY NOKWANDA DLAMINI (INTERN)
NGUDZENI – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has deepened efforts to combat teenage pregnancy and child abuse through a community campaign held in the Shiselweni Region on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
The initiative, led by Community Safety and Domestic Violence and Child Protection (DCS) Units, was conducted in collaboration with Kuyenteka Shiselo. The campaign aimed to raise awareness and promote prevention strategies targeting school-going children, particularly young girls vulnerable to sexual abuse, grooming, and peer pressure.
The event began with a march led by the REPS band, drawing participation from community members and key stakeholders. Among the dignitaries present were Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla and Ngudzeni Member of Parliament Charles Ndlovu.
Speaking during the event, various stakeholders emphasised the importance of responsible behaviour among young people and encouraged abstinence from sexual activity at an early age. They highlighted how lack of guidance, combined with social pressures, often contributes to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy.
Young girls were urged to report incidents of sexual abuse to authorities, with officials stressing the need to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. The campaign also called on parents to take a more active role in their children’s upbringing, providing guidance and support to help them make informed decisions.
Deputy Prime Minister further appealed to parents to instil discipline and respect in their children, noting that both boys and girls require proper guidance as they represent the future of the nation. She also expressed concern over the increasing number of teenage pregnancies recorded in the Ngudzeni constituency.
The campaign forms part of ongoing efforts by the police service to strengthen community partnerships and address social challenges affecting young people across Eswatini.
#EndTeenagePregnancy#ChildProtectionEswatini#CommunitySafetyFirst
