By Thandiwe Matsenjwa
MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has called for an end to teenage pregnancy, as it is said to be growing at an alarming rate in the country.
Dladla said this today (Friday, June 14, 2024) during the launch of the ‘No Means No’ campaign at Nyandza High School in LaMgabhi (Bhunya).
The campaign was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), in collaboration with the Georgetown University.
It is said this initiative is aimed to fight gender-based violence (GBV) and raise awareness, with a focus on eliminating the frequent issues of violence and women and girls. Teenage pregnancy is also believed to be, in many cases, as a result of GBV.
Dladla said this issue of rising teenage pregnancy was concerning and needed to be addressed.
“Teenage pregnancy is another silent pandemic that the country is facing. Such has been confirmed by a recent publication that about 1 109 pregnant teenagers were recorded in a period of three months. These numbers are too concerning, calling for all of us to end this scourge collectively,” she said.
Sandile Ndzimandze, from the Gender and Family Issues Unit, highlighted the significance of this project in eliminating GBV issues and emphasised that the coordination will play a crucial role in raising awareness, reporting, and responding to cases of Gender-based violence.
The ‘No Means No’ campaign represents a vital step towards addressing the pressing issue of GBV in the country. With the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and George Town University at the wheel, the initiative is assured to make a meaningful impact in eradicating GBV and promoting a culture of respect and safety for all individuals, particularly women and girls.
Dladla expressed her gratitude for the support offered by various stakeholders and further stated how the initiative would benefit both boys and girls by providing them with the knowledge they needed when it came to GBV.
“As an office, we are grateful for the support that has been extended by US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and implemented by Georgetown University in collaboration with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” Ndzimandze said.
This initiative has been described as a powerful strategy for violence prevention, as girls were provided with the necessary knowledge to recognise their rights to safety, set boundaries, and defend themselves, whereas, boys were encouraged to learn skills to challenge violence and toxic masculinity, ask for consent and intervene when witnessing sexual assault.
The launch of the campaign at Nyandza High School signifies the importance of engaging with young people in the fight against GBV, as education and awareness are key components in preventing and addressing this societal issue. Ndzimandze’s emphasis on the coordination’s role in raising awareness, reporting, and responding further underscores the comprehensive approach of the ‘No Means No’ campaign.
