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MANZINI - In a bid to ensure that children’s rights are realised and protected in the country, government has launched two intsruments; Neighbourhood Care Point Strategy 20232027, and the National Plan of Action for Children 2023-2027.
The programmes were launched by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Masuku yesterday, at The George Hotel.
He said these instruments were a product of a dedicated professional and collaborative effort among all stakeholders, aimed at addressing identified gaps and deprivations that exist amongst children in the country.
Again, he said these instruments further demonstrate a deliberate commitment and responsibility of by the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini in protecting and realising children’s rights. He said for government, the realisation of children’s rights was perceived as a fundamental output for the sustainable development and perpetual independence of Eswatini. He said the Neighbourhood Care Point Strategy sought to address a number of gaps which affect children in their local communities.
Masuku said the instrument also intends to rekindle the old tradition of emaSwati communities, that of caring for their children. “It identifies services such as counselling, birth registration, nutrition and early learning, to mention a few. Such a move is in line with the government policy of reaching out to the people through the decentralisation programme,” the DPM said.
On the other hand, he said the National Plan of Action (NPA) 2023-2027 was the main document which guides holistic delivery of children services in the country.
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He said the vision of this NPA 2023-2027 reads; “All children in Eswatini have their rights guaranteed and they can reach their potential to live successful and fulfilling lives; and become active, contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the country.”
In that regard, the DPM noted that it sought to correct gaps which had been identified, mainly by the 2019 Situational
Analysis Report for Children. He said some of these gaps were also noticed by the committee of Experts on the Rights of Children during the country’s constructive dialogue with the committee in 2021.
He said issues identified by the 2019 Situational Analysis Report for Children, include for example that birth registration stood at 54 per cent, violence against children was at 88 per cent, decline in immunisation from 84 per cent in 2010 to 81 per cent. Other concerning indicators which the DPM said need attention, included child nutrition and early childhood development.