BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – World Vision Eswatini National Director Tinah Mukunda and PSI Eswatini have come together to ensure girl empowerment through community-based programmes.
PSI Country Representative Dr Endale Tilahun and World Vision Eswatini Director Tinah Mukunda signed a Memorandum of Understanding to solidify and formalise the two international NGOs’ long-standing partnership in community-based programmes.
The MOU specifically outlines how the two organisations will work together in a recent partnership on a girl-powered approach to integrating sexual reproductive health and HIV in Eswatini using digital tools.
According to Mukunda, the objective is to increase AGYW’s capacity to self-manage its health through available and viable digital solutions.
“The user-centred problem-solving approach uses digital tools, including a WhatsApp Chat Bot called Nompilo, that allow adolescent girls and young women to access services easily and privately in a safe space and self-refer by generating a referral code online,” said Mukunda.
Mukunda further went on to say that, the other project aim is to increase the capacity of healthcare workers to provide youth-friendly services and create a safe space for AGYW.
This is done through access to a Provider Behaviour Change Communication for Youth-Centred Service Delivery eLearning Course, ensuring continuous professional development for the healthcare workers.
This project is currently being piloted in three constituencies, namely Mtfongwaneni, Ntondozi, and Hhukwini, although it is hoped that it will eventually spread to other constituencies in the country, depending on funding availability.
(Courtesy Pics of World Vision Eswatini)
