Ǯ —pport programmes tŠat promote —nity in tŠe cŠ—rcŠǯ
MBABANE – “The country has enough for all people to be able to survive and live but the resources are not distributed equitably.”
This was said by &ouncil of Swa]iland &hurches &hairperson Archdeacon %hekindlela 0agongo during the 8nited 1ations 81 leaders retreat civic groups engagement session.
In his submissions, 0agongo said the church was calling for support of programmes that promoted unity.
³The church must also speak with one voice as it did during HI9 AI'S and &29I'- response,” said the &ouncil of Swa]iland &hurches chairperson.
&oordinating Assembly for 1on-*overnmental 2rganisations &A1*2 'irector Emmanuel 1dlangamandla, in his remarks, highlighted that the 81 leaders should always remember and emulate the commitments made by world leaders in the 81 &harter, Agenda others and further call upon them to account.
Also present during the session was Swatini Action *roup Against Abuse S:A*AA 'irector 1onhlanhla 'lamini, who said high levels of teenage pregnancies were a national issue as girls did not go back to school after the &29I'- lockdowns.
It was also stated that teen mothers were facing challenges yet they had no voice, with some being chased away from their homes and risking infections of sexually transmitted infections STIs and HI9.
³Teen mothers face the challenges of being ostraci]ed in society and this results in prostitution and increases the risk of infection in HI9 and vulnerability to gender-based violence *%9 ,” stated some of the representatives of the civic groups present at the retreat.
)ormer )ederation 2rganisation of 'isabled 3eople in Swa]iland )2'S:A 3resident Sipho 'lamini said persons with disabilities were not charity cases, but should be recognised as individuals with human rights. He was speaking during his submission before the 81 leaders at the retreat hosted at the 3igg¶s 3eak Hotel.
³Involve disabled persons in the planning of programmes targeted at them.” He was supported by one -oyce 1unn, who said the 81 should be the first to employ persons with disability. Highlighting that some of them had certificates but they were being ignored.
³:e need to be supported,” said 1unn.