Over 46 young girls aged between zero and 17 years have been sexually violated in Eswatini in the past three months.
This was revealed by Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) Executive Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini, who expressed deep concern over the rising number of child abuse cases, especially those involving sexual violence.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
“In the last three months (from July to September), we received over 46 cases of children that have been sexually violated. The cases involve children aged between zero to nine, 10–14, and 16–17,” Dlamini said on Friday during a press briefing held at SWAGAA offices.
She said despite extensive advocacy on child protection and gender-based violence (GBV), the scourge continues unabated.
Justice System Under Fire
Dlamini further criticised the justice system, alleging that it was failing to protect child victims.
She said it was painful that children, the future generation, were being abused while the system appeared indifferent.
“It is disheartening that the very justice system that should protect them seems not to be doing anything about it,” she said.
Cultural Norms and Neglect
Meanwhile, Youth Sustainable Development Centre Director Nokuthula Mamba said society was normalising discriminatory cultural norms, leaving many young people without a voice.
“We do have the law that protects the girl child, but one may ask, are our girls really protected?” she asked.
Mamba alleged that young girls felt neglected and sidelined, as most cases never progress through the courts.
She warned that this lack of justice creates intergenerational trauma and negatively impacts youth development.
“What happens to the child who never received psychosocial support after being abused? What happens to the child who finds herself pregnant with the perpetrator’s baby and still sees him in the community every day?” she questioned.
Calls for Action
Mamba urged government, civil society, and development partners to strengthen the enforcement of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act, saying it must be treated as a tool for real protection, not just paperwork.
“The enforcement of the SODV Act is not solely a responsibility of civil society but of all Emaswati. We need to ensure financial, technical and human resources are available to protect our children,” she said.
She also called for capacity-building sessions, better GBV response services, and the declaration of GBV as a national disaster to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of young people.
“Declaring GBV a national disaster would help save the future of Eswatini and ensure young people fully contribute to national development,” Mamba concluded.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
