BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
NHLANGANO – The Nhlangano Aids Training Information and Counselling Centre (NATICC) has strengthened its partnership with community structures through a stakeholder engagement held at Maseyisini Inkhundla, focusing on protecting children and adolescents from gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage and early and unintended pregnancies (EUP).
NATICC, Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), Young Heroes, EWADE, Sebenta Skills Centre and Micro-Projects shared information on their services, ongoing programmes and upcoming interventions within the community, while also identifying areas where the Constituency Council could support their work through community mobilisation, coordination and stronger links with local structures.
Representing NATICC, Social Worker Gugu Mavimbela outlined the organisation’s services and the UNESCO-supported project being implemented through Civil Society Organisations in selected communities, including Zombodze and Gege. The project aims to strengthen education and community systems that protect children and adolescents from GBV, EUP, child marriage and harmful social and gender norms that affect their rights, wellbeing and educational attainment.
Through the project, NATICC will work with traditional leaders, Inner Councils, parents, teachers, schools and community members to strengthen child protection mechanisms and promote positive parenting. The intervention will also create opportunities for communities to engage in dialogue on GBV, EUP and child marriage while supporting safe and protective learning environments for children and adolescents.
Another key component of the project is promoting access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Life Skills Education (LSE), while addressing social and gender norms that can contribute to violence, inequality, school absenteeism and dropout. The engagement forms part of the project’s inception and partnership-building activities, creating a foundation for coordinated implementation and stronger community ownership.
The Constituency Council welcomed the initiative and assured NATICC of its support in mobilising community members to participate in upcoming dialogues. The partnership is expected to provide a platform for communities to openly discuss challenges affecting children and adolescents and identify solutions that respond to local needs.
Through continued collaboration with community structures and development partners, NATICC aims to contribute to safer communities where children and adolescents can remain in school, access quality education, be protected from violence and make informed decisions about their futures.
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