The ministry of home affairs has recorded 209 divorces since April, according to its first quarter report tabled in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
The report shows that the highest number of cases was recorded in May with 92, 63 in June and 54 in April.
These figures fall under civil registration, which involves the official recording of important life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces.
The United Nations defines civil registration as a continuous, permanent, and universal process required by law in each country.
Vital statistics, which come from civil registration, are important for planning and decision-making in the country.
The ministry also oversees other key responsibilities such as giving permission for marriages between Emaswati and foreigners, managing name changes, registering adoptions, and recording annulments and divorces.
These tasks are handled through the National Civil Registration Act of 2023 and the Marriage Act of 1964.
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“During this quarter, the ministry made efforts to improve services by opening a service centre at Mkhuzweni Health Centre. This centre aims to improve birth registration, especially in government hospitals with maternity services,” reads the report. However, the ministry reported that it was still facing some challenges.
A major issue was a shortage of staff, which has slowed down the full rollout of services in all government hospitals.
This includes efforts to increase access to registration services, known as “closing the tap,” which has not yet been fully achieved.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
