Eswatini launches Let’s Talk campaign to end early and unintended pregnancy

Eswatini has launched Let’s Talk, a regional campaign aimed at mobilising all stakeholders to address and reverse the escalating cases of early and unintended pregnancy.

Teenage pregnancy is a major challenge for adolescent girls in Eswatini. Currently the adolescent birth rate stands at 87 per 1000 adolescents, and teenage pregnancy is one of the main factors contributing to school dropouts in the country.

The campaign, which was initiated at the regional level in 2015, invites the people of Eastern and Southern Africa to engage in conversations about early and unintended pregnancy.

Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Themba Masuku officially launched campaign jointly with the Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Lady Howard-Mabuza at the George Hotel in Manzini on 30 January 2020. The launch was graced by representatives of national stakeholders and partners, including the civil society, the United Nations, the US Embassy and private sector.

The campaign will focus on health by advocating for increased access to sexual reproductive health services (including contraception) for all adolescents and young people, without judgment or discrimination. It will also ensure that adolescents and young people ha ve access to good quality comprehensive sexuality education to equip them to make informed life choices and prevent early and unintended pregnancy. In addition, the campaign will ensure that all adolescents and young people know their rights and are empowered to make decisions regarding sexuality, health and education that will allow them to reach their full potential.

Mr. Masuku appealed for better coordination in the implementation of the campaign to ensure that it achieves results in the shortest possible time. “Partners need to spread out in a very systematic way to ensure that we reach as many target groups as possible and that we are not duplicating efforts,” he told the gathering of stakeholders, adding that there is a need to reach both in and out of school youth.

He also observed that some practices were not in the best interest of the child. “I am personally against this practice of expelling girl children from school just because they fallen pregnant because you that in most cases they are victims of sexual violence,” he said much to a round of applause.

UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh highlighted the need to accelerate efforts towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). “With only 10 years left to achieve the SDGs by 2030, last week, the UN Secretary- General, Mr. Antonio Guterres launched the “Decade of Action” campaign, which marks the beginning of accelerated efforts to achieve the Agenda 2030 targets, including on gender equality,” she said.

She reaffirmed the UN’s commitment towards supporting the Government and the people of Eswatini in ending all forms of violence against women, girls and children. “Let’s put all our efforts together. Let’s talk about how we can put an end to early and unintended pregnancy in the Kingdom of Eswatini…but more importantly, let’s make it happen,” she stated.

Partners already on board the campaign include the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), SAfAIDS and Save the Children.