Unicef Eswatini

19/06/2026

17/06/2026

Towards a Unified Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) in Eswatini!
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, through the Department of Social Welfare, with support from UNICEF Eswatini, convened key stakeholders to discuss the future expansion of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS).
Launched in June 2022 and rolled out in September 2022, CPIMS is a digital case management platform that helps standardize and strengthen child protection services. Currently used by Government Social Workers, the system is already improving the quality, efficiency, and coordination of support provided to children and families.
The consultation focused on expanding CPIMS across government institutions, NGOs, CSOs, and other child protection partners, with the goal of establishing a unified national child protection case management system.
By strengthening coordination, data management, and service delivery, CPIMS will help ensure that every child in Eswatini receives the protection and support they deserve.

11/06/2026

UNICEF supported a capacity-building training for 17 staff members from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), including the Undersecretary, to strengthen accountability, efficiency and compliance in programme implementation.
The training enhanced knowledge of Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), quality assurance, safeguarding, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), helping ensure that resources are used effectively and responsibly to deliver for children.
As a result, DPMO committed to strengthening internal systems, improving procurement and reporting processes, and developing a comprehensive framework to mainstream safeguarding and PSEA across programmes and the workplace, including accessible reporting and feedback mechanisms.
Strong systems and accountability are essential to achieving lasting results for every child. Together, we are building more effective and child-centred services in Eswatini.

09/06/2026

Bayabonga Masuku a member of the UNICEF Youth Advisory Board Alumni shares his experience:
Over the past week, I had the privilege of joining 25 passionate young people at a three-day Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Ambassadors Training organized by Eswatini O3 Changemakers in collaboration with AHF Eswatini.

The training brought together 20 students from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) and 5 students from the Institute of Development Management (IDM), all committed to becoming champions for SRHR in their institutions and communities.

I was honoured to facilitate a session on Opportunities in SRHR, where we explored pathways in youth advocacy, research, leadership, volunteering, fellowships, and policy engagement. We also discussed how young people can contribute to addressing research gaps through evidence generation and innovation.

This session was especially meaningful to me because it was inspired by my journey as a member of the UNICEF Youth Advisory Board (2023–2026). Serving on the Board opened doors to regional and global youth engagement opportunities, strengthened my leadership and advocacy skills, and showed me the power of meaningful youth participation in shaping policies and programmes that affect young people.

Seeing the enthusiasm, ideas, and commitment of these future SRHR ambassadors reminded me that when young people are equipped with knowledge and opportunities, they become powerful agents of change.

Thank you to AHF Eswatini, Eswatini O3 Changemakers, IDM, fellow facilitators, and all participants for making this experience impactful and inspiring.

Together, we are building a generation of informed, empowered, and confident young leaders who will advance health, dignity, equality, and informed choices for all.

"When young people are given opportunities, they do not just participate they lead, innovate, and transform communities."

05/06/2026

More than 200 participants, including the Hhohho Regional Administrator, Members of Parliament, government officials, municipality representatives, civil society organizations, development partners, community leaders and children, came together at UN House to launch Children's Month 2026 under the theme: "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child."
Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira reminded participants that access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is not a privilege, it is a right and a foundation for children's health, learning, dignity and future opportunities.
During the panel discussion, UNICEF Officer-in-Charge, Afshin Parsi highlighted the urgent need for action, noting that unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene remain a significant public health and child survival challenge in Eswatini. Despite progress, only 38% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water, 61% to safely managed sanitation services, and 36% to basic hygiene services.
These numbers are more than statistics. They represent children who are at greater risk of disease, missing school and being denied opportunities to reach their full potential.
The call is clear, accelerated investment in safe, affordable and climate-resilient WASH services is essential to ensure that every child can survive, thrive and succeed.
Together, we can keep our promise:
Every child. Safe water. Safe sanitation. Good hygiene. A brighter future.

02/06/2026

Strengthening quality education starts with strong school leadership.
With support from UNICEF, school principals and heads from across the country are participating in capacity-strengthening workshops on the implementation of the National Inspection Frameworks.
The frameworks provide clear standards for quality education and help schools promote consistency, accountability and continuous improvement. Senior Inspectors highlighted that inspections are not about finding faults, but about identifying opportunities to strengthen teaching, learning, leadership and learner outcomes.
School leaders play a critical role in turning these standards into action. By using the frameworks for self-evaluation, planning and school improvement, they can help create better learning environments for every child.
Together, we can ensure that quality assurance leads to improved teaching, stronger learner achievement and better opportunities for every child to learn, grow and thrive.

28/05/2026

Every child deserves the best start in life.
Nestled deep in the heart of Sigombeni community down a long, winding gravel road sits Sankolweni Primary School. Small in size, but mighty in impact.
When the school introduced Early Childhood Education (Grade 0) in 2018, something remarkable began to unfold. This year, that very first cohort completed Grade 7 with results that speak for themselves.
"We have seen a great improvement in students' performance in all grades since we introduced Grade 0. The overall grades show a great improvement from the years before it was introduced." Headteacher Zandile Bhembe
Today, 19 children (11 boys, 8 girls) are enrolled in the 2026 Grade 0 class. For many of them, coming to school means more than learning to read and write , it means a warm meal, a safe space, and the joy of play.
"I like coming to school because we get food," shares Likhwa, age 4. "I enjoy coming to school for the toys," says Banzile, also 4.
Behind these smiles, however, lies a quiet challenge. Families in this community many headed by elderly caregivers struggle to afford the E200 per term fee that keeps the Grade 0 teacher paid. There is no government salary. No guaranteed income. Just a community holding on, and a teacher showing up every day.
The evidence is clear: early learning changes lives. But for it to reach every child in every community, however remote ,it needs sustained investment.
UNICEF appreciates government's commitment to prioritize, fund, and sustain quality early childhood education for every child, in Eswatini.
Because where a child grows up should never determine how far they can go.

21/05/2026

Government, private sector, civil society and development partners came together at the Joint National Steering Committee (JNSC) Meeting to discuss and endorse the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030. The meeting was attended by various stakeholders including ministers and principal secretaries of government ministries, private sector, civil society and development partners
The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on national development priorities and strengthen collective action towards sustainable development in Eswatini.
During the discussion, among other issues, stakeholders highlighted the importance of investing in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
“On the education and skills development component, what was highlighted is exactly our aspiration as a ministry and as a stakeholder. We also want to request government to give full support to the early childhood care, development, education sector,” remarked Ms Nanikie Mnisi, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education and Training.
Minister Tambo Gina also emphasized the importance of translating aspirations into action by mainstreaming early childhood learning in national systems. " There is commitment, at least in terms of aspirations, but in terms of actually doing the necessary, sometimes it's lacking. I think most of us understand the importance of early childhood learning. But do we see evidence in government that we realize the major impact of non- action, on what type of a person we would produce if there is no early childhood learning? … We accept, we understand it, but in reality, I would like to see us show true commitment by mainstreaming such programmes in our systems. " Minister Tambo Gina, minister of Economic Planning and Development, making closing remarks.
Investing in young children today helps build a stronger and more inclusive society tomorrow.

21/05/2026

We are proud to introduce our Children & Youth Advisory Board, a group of young people who will help shape UNICEF's work, programmes, and decisions. These young leaders are not just participants they are co-creators. They represent Swazi children whose voices deserve to be heard at every table where decisions about their futures are made.

07/05/2026

Creating safe, inclusive and supportive schools
UNICEF supported Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) training in Manzini Shosholoza, where 54 School Support Team members came together to strengthen support for learners.
CSTL is a key Ministry of Education and Training strategy that helps schools create protective and inclusive learning environments to improve education quality for every child.
The programme is implemented through the Guidance and Counselling Department together with School Support Teams made up of learners, guidance teachers and parents working together to ensure children are safe, supported and ready to learn.