Education & Empowerment

As part of my role with SWAGAA (Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse) I've been taking part in club exchange visits in rural areas, hours away from the big cities, trekking along bumpy dirt roads. The purpose of these visits are to check in on the discussions and ensure the efficient running of the Girls Empowerment Clubs, to provide exchange visits with other students from different schools, and to allow the girls an opportunity to share their thoughts and address pressing issues.

Mabheleni Primary in particular was a unique opportunity. The school itself was built by the community and now has roughly 90 pupils (40 of which who are girls that have formed a Girls Empowerment Club). It is said that all of the children in this community are double orphans and live roughly 30km from the nearest shop, high in the mountainous countryside, without a means of transport..

@Mabheleni Primary

I know I can, I know I can, Be What I want to be

Part of the slogan, "The sky is the limit!"

This month we are also celebrating the Day of the African Child and the national theme is: "Eliminating harmful social and cultural practices affecting children: our collective responsibility." One of our members from the Girls Club spoke in front of a large crowd and was acknowledged by the Prime Minister for her positive words though faced by an unjust upbringing living in a polygamous household. 

Day of African Child Launch with one of our Girl's speaking

While the project of the Girls Clubs is blossoming and more and more girls are being empowered and educated on their rights and ways of addressing child abuse, the fact is, that it is still happening at an exponential rate. On a recent visit I felt the heart wrenching words of young girls. We did an anonymous exercise whereby the girls wrote their questions or remarks on a piece of paper. Out of 30 children aged 14-16, more than half asked questions regarding reporting abuse or issues of rape whether it was by their father, uncle, or boyfriends. Words of rape and sexual/physical abuse were hard to swallow and taking a minute to realize the severity of what is happening in rural areas. Questions about community support are critical: if girls are being educated and empowered to speak out about abuse, the community (including parents, teachers, police officers etc) need to take action and realize the position the girls are faced with. Just yesterday though, members of Parliament passed the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2009 which will replace an outdated colonial legislation with stiffer sentences for perpetrators and access to legal recourse and justice for survivors. The new law is not only about increased punitive measures but provides for peace building to help mitigate the effects of domestic violence within a family (SWAGAA). The last stage in its enactment is still to come, the Royal Assent by His Majesty King Mswati II.

@Sigangeni High

Girls Empowerment Club at Sigangeni

Getting boys involved at Sigangeni High

Last month we also did a workshop to the top bras police force, "Police Gender Mainstreaming Sensitization, Gender-Based Violence." As an organisation we took the stage for a presentation on basics of what gender is to the harsh reality of gender based violence in the country. What an important topic and it will take much more work for this information to get down to the field and be heard and understood in the community. 

Police Top Bras Gender Mainstreaming Workshop - Gender-based violence

Through all these workshops and visits I've taken self-reflection time to ponder my fortunate upbringing in terms of education, my rights as a child and my empowerment as a young woman. Where did I get confidence from, through sport? How was I so fortunate to grow up in communities across the world where I was never afraid of my own dad or relatives? I am so proud to say that I am an empowered and educated woman. I don't deny that my socioeconomic status has had a substantial influence on my education, though through hard work, perseverance, dreams and having the support from a community of family and friends I've been able to accomplish what I have done to date. This opportunity to work at SWAGAA funded by Crossroads International has fostered my ambitions and work to change the face of society one day at a time.

To make a direct donation to the work of Crossroads International who funds the Girls Empowerment Clubs here in Swaziland, you can contribute to my fundraising efforts through this link: Please note it goes directly to the programs and not my personal account. http://cci.akaraisin.com/Crossroaderfundraising/99a9e5ad7c374ca29e0f8b8e242b7868

That's all from Swazi - I'll be missing home this Canada Day but thankfully there is a gentle reminder that part of home exists in Swaziland...the maple tree in Mbabane :)