BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE– Calls for stronger investment in girls’ leadership and empowerment echoed through the Siteki Municipal Hall yesterday, as UNFPA Eswatini, in partnership with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “The Girl, The Change I Am: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis.”
The event, hosted on Friday, October 17, 2025 by Lubombo Central High School and attended by neighbouring schools including Siteki Nazarene and Good Shepherd, celebrated the courage, resilience, and influence of girls in shaping Eswatini’s future.
Representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Linda Nxumalo delivered a passionate address reminding the nation that empowering girls is a cornerstone of sustainable development.
“When you invest in a girl, you are not only investing in her, but also in her family, community, and the country,” she said.
Nxumalo stressed the importance of breaking barriers that continue to limit girls’ opportunities in education, leadership, and health, urging parents, teachers, and policy-makers to equip girls with the tools and confidence to lead.
She also echoed His Majesty King Mswati III’s call for women’s inclusion in national development and reminded the audience of Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s powerful words:
“A woman’s place is not entirely in the kitchen. Every woman should realise the power they have and use it to their advantage.”
UNFPA Eswatini Head of Office, Ms Margaret Thwala-Tembe, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that no girl is left behind. She highlighted that through UNFPA’s Youth and Adolescents Programme, girls who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy or financial challenges have been supported to return — particularly in Maphiveni, Shewula, and Lomahasha.
“We are ensuring that girls have access to education, information, and health services that allow them to make informed choices and live fulfilling lives,” she said.
Thwala-Tembe also emphasised UNFPA’s continued support in menstrual health management, noting that dignity kits have been distributed to schools to help keep girls in class throughout the year.
Also addressing the gathering, Mbabane Municipal Council CEO Gciniwe Fakudze encouraged girls to embrace their potential and lead with confidence, reminding them that their voices matter in every space — from classrooms to boardrooms.
“You are not too young to lead change,” she said. “Believe in your voice, because leadership starts with self-belief.”
The celebration was more than a commemoration — it was a call to action for the nation to recognise that empowering girls means empowering Eswatini.
(Courtesy Pic)
