By Nokwanda Dlamini (Intern)
MBABANE – Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society, in partnership with the European Union, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, presented the Khetsimphilo Eswatini Programme in Mbabane during a stakeholder workshop aimed at strengthening community-based interventions and social support systems across the country.
The 42-month programme, running from July 2025 to January 2029 and implemented with support from the Finnish Red Cross, focuses on improving the social and economic inclusion of youth and women through Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) awareness, targeting 30 communities through interventions such as teen clubs, clinic rehabilitation, school sanitation upgrades and distribution of hygiene kits and sports materials.
“We are very grateful for the collaboration and support we continue to receive from the different ministries and stakeholders. Their willingness to work together with us shows a shared commitment towards improving the lives of vulnerable youth, women and families across communities,” said Nompumelelo Shongwe from Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.
The workshop also revisited the Asibambaneni Sibengumndeni Programme, which focuses on addressing child abandonment, neglect and family reunification.
Key findings revealed that 80 percent of abandonment cases involve women and 20 percent involve men, with many affected families living in extreme poverty. It was also noted that 40 percent of children are placed with strangers while 60 percent are cared for by relatives, with increasing cross-border neglect cases involving South Africa and Mozambique.
The programme provides food parcels, counselling referrals, legal documentation support, assistive devices and family reunification services.
“Asibambaneni Sibengumndeni continues to expose the painful realities many children and families are facing in our communities, but it also reminds us of the importance of collective responsibility, compassion and restoring family connections. Through collaboration with different stakeholders, we are able to bring hope, support and dignity back to vulnerable families,” said Sikhulile Nxumalo from the Department of Social Welfare.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, media and security agencies to strengthen coordination and improve support services for vulnerable communities across Eswatini.
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