Mbabane – Civil society organisations in Eswatini have raised alarm over the escalating violence against children, calling for an emergency national response to what they describe as a deepening crisis.
Led by the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) and the Chair of the Children’s Consortium, the group issued a joint statement condemning the surge in child disappearances, ritual killings, and sexual violence across the country. The statement comes after reports revealed that five children have been murdered and at least 312 cases of child rape recorded in just the past five months.
The organisations, which include SWAGAA, World Vision, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, UNICEF, Young Heroes, Bantwana, and others, said the brutal acts have left families devastated and communities shaken, while many cases still go unreported. They described the pattern as a tragic reflection of the failure to protect Eswatini’s most vulnerable.
They called for a clear, time-bound plan of action from government authorities, including stronger law enforcement presence in schools and high-risk communities, increased funding for social workers and police, and immediate prosecution of suspected perpetrators.
The Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2012, along with Eswatini’s international commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, place responsibility on the state to ensure every child’s right to safety and dignity.
The organisations are also appealing to communities to remain alert, report suspicious behaviour, and support affected families. They are ramping up public awareness campaigns on child safety, reporting mechanisms, and violence prevention, particularly in schools and peri-urban settlements.
Civil society is further urging the government to publicly denounce all forms of child abuse, including ritual killings and harmful traditional practices, and to uphold transparency in the handling of all cases involving minors.
Toll-free numbers for reporting violence against children include the National Child Protection Line at 116, the police on 999 or 9999, SWAGAA at 951, and SOS at 0115.
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