BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
ZOMBODZE EMUVA– The Mpandeni community under Ngwenyameni Chiefdom in Zombodze Emuva Constituency has been empowered to strengthen the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), understand the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODVA) Act and protect children from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
The empowerment was delivered through a community dialogue conducted by the National Advisory Team on Children’s Issues (NATICC) in collaboration with COSPE Southern Africa, which partnered with Sunshine Cinema under the Civil Society in Action (CSA) project, on August 19, 2026.
The dialogue sought to strengthen community knowledge on sexual and gender-based violence, children’s rights and responsibilities, while encouraging communities to take collective responsibility for creating safer environments for children and young people.
A key focus of the engagement was the SODVA Act, with NATICC taking participants through its purpose, key provisions, offences covered and the people protected under the legislation.
Particular attention was given to Section 3 on rape, Section 70 on the duty to report and the Sexual Offenders Register.
Participants were encouraged to understand their responsibility to report sexual offences, protect survivors and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
The community was also sensitised on the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act (CPWA), with discussions focusing on children’s rights and responsibilities.
Participants explored the responsibility of parents, caregivers and the wider community to protect children from abuse, exploitation, neglect and other forms of harm.
The engagement emphasised that child protection cannot be left to parents or authorities alone, but requires the active involvement of families and communities.
Adding a creative approach to the dialogue, participants watched Pumla, a South African short film addressing challenges affecting young people, including teenage pregnancy, risky behaviour, substance abuse, sexuality, family relationships and the consequences of making decisions without adequate support and guidance.
Following the screening, participants took part in an interactive question-and-answer and reflection session, sharing lessons drawn from Pumla’s story and discussing what could be done differently to prevent similar situations in their own community.
The discussions highlighted the importance of open parent-child communication, positive parenting, guidance and mentorship, access to accurate information and early intervention.
Participants also recognised the need for stronger community support systems and timely reporting of cases involving violence and abuse.
The engagement demonstrated the value of combining legal awareness, community education and storytelling through film to stimulate meaningful conversations on GBV and child protection.
It further encouraged community members to understand their responsibilities under the law and become active participants in preventing violence and protecting vulnerable children and young people.
The Mpandeni dialogue forms part of broader efforts to strengthen community awareness and equip EmaSwati with knowledge that can help prevent sexual offences, domestic violence and other forms of abuse.
By bringing legal education and real-life storytelling closer to communities, the initiative seeks to foster safer families, stronger support systems and communities that are better equipped to protect children and respond to violence.
#NATICC #SODVA #CPWA #EndGBV #ChildProtection #SaferCommunities #Eswatini
(Courtesy Pic)
