Key issues facing children in Swaziland, which make them more vulnerable?
 
Clearly the problem of economic stagnation, political unpredictability and the growing menace of HIV/AIDS are serious threats and consequences for children in Swaziland.  Hence our programme is aligning itself in trying to address some of these critical issues. 

Economic Environment

With the HIV/AIDS pandemic indicators and achievements made over the years have been seriously undermined.  Immunization coverage, infant mortality and morbidity are all on the decline.  Recently we have seen a lot of big companies closing down citing economic and political reasons as factors.  In many ways because of our geographical position we depend a lot on South Africa.   Our economy and currency is tied up in the South Africa Rand.

HIV/AIDS

Swaziland has one of the five highest HIV prevalence rates in the world.  According to the results of the 2000 HIV Sentinel Sero-Surveillance done in Swaziland, youth between the ages 15-19 still tend to be among the most highly infected.  The most affected by the pandemic, however, are the children left orphaned and vulnerable by parents who have died of HIV/AIDS related illnesses. 

Clearly the sheer scale and magnitude of the problem is undermining all the development initiatives made over the years. 

The Cultural Context

As with many African cultures, Swazi society is patriarchal, patrilineal and patrilocal, the important kinship is those transmitted through the father’s lineage.  The system put the women in subordinate position.  This form of family arrangement turns to position its member into power relations.  Man turn to have the authority and power whilst the women and children are subservient, this position seem to contribute to high incidence of child abuse and exploitation in children.  Another observation, which was made earlier, is the erosion of the extended family support where one would have grandparents and other member of the extended system ensuring the welfare and safety of the child.  Furthermore the rich cultural values of respecting one another particularly you own children and other children has also been eroded to a large extend.

Swaziland as with many other African societies has certain cultural and traditional practices, which to a large extend contribute to abuse of children.  According to Swazi Law and custom age is not a factor when it comes to marriage.  The girl is considered matured after puberty.

There are two of these cultural practices that can be cited:

1) Kwendziswa:  whereby a man will give away his daughter in matrimony without her consent.
2) Kulamuta:  whereby a man has sexual relations with his wife’s sisters or close relatives.

Legal Context

It has been observed that the laws intended to protect children against abuse generally insufficient and outdated.  Studies have been done which indicate that child abuse acts such as incest or battering are often viewed as wrong or sinful within a community, but not often seen as criminal or punishable by law courts.  Furthermore the scattering of the various Acts compounds the inadequacy laws.
 The whole justice system itself needs a lot of transformation in as far as direction and focus on being child friendly service.  Other studies alluded to the fact that laws of the country need to be reviewed and realigned for the purpose of a wholesome child and wholesome person.  Initiatives needed to be undertaken to look at the laws that relate to children and identifying the gaps that need attention.

This emphasizes the need for holistic interventions to address the needs of Swazi Children. Additional needs for OVC include:

• Food
• Non food items like soap, toothpaste, sanitary towels/pads, body lotions etc.
• School accessories like uniforms, shoes, stationery and transport.
• Clothing
• Bedding items including blankets, sheets, pillows etc.
• Basic furniture items including mattresses, beds, wardrobes, kitchen cupboards
• Proper shelter.
• Psychosocial support; to grieve parent’s death and build confidence to move on.

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