Mbabane – UNICEF has urged government and stakeholders to adopt a coordinated response to child poverty, following the release of a report showing that nearly half of Eswatini’s children are deprived in at least three key areas of well-being.
Speaking during the launch of the Child Poverty Analysis Report on 9 July 2025 at Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, UNICEF Deputy Representative Afshin Parsi described the findings as a critical signal for national action. The event brought together top government officials, civil society organisations, development partners and private sector representatives.
The report uses the internationally recognised Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) methodology to assess children’s access to essential needs like nutrition, education, protection, healthcare, sanitation, and housing. Based on national data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), the study was led by Eswatini’s Poverty Unit under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
According to the findings, 46.6% of children in Eswatini are experiencing multidimensional poverty. The situation is more severe in rural communities, where 51.8% of children are affected, compared to 23.1% in urban areas. Lubombo region has the highest rate of child deprivation, while Hhohho has the lowest.
Parsi said national ownership of the data provides an opportunity for Eswatini to respond through targeted interventions and budgeting processes that focus on child development. He called on ministries to move beyond policy aspirations and integrate child-focused planning across sectors such as health, education, nutrition, climate resilience, and social protection.
UNICEF pledged continued support to government and its partners, aligning with the African Union’s 2025 theme for the Day of the African Child: Planning and Budgeting for the Rights of the Child.
The report identifies notable progress in areas such as access to clean water and child protection but points to persistent challenges that require urgent, joint action from all sectors.
Discussion about this post