Swazi Observer

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INSIGHTS FROM COMMUNITY CIRCLES, SUPPORTED BY MTN ESWATINI

By Sitakele Maseko | 2025-01-29

The One Billion Rising Eswatini Community Circles Initiative has made remarkable strides in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) through a combination of community engagement, economic empowerment, and artistic advocacy.

This article highlights key findings and results from the programme’s efforts over the past year, which reached over 4 600 people across 15 communities through the support from MTN Foundation. These communities are Zikhotheni, Ntontozi, Ngonini, Mbekelweni, Vuvulane, Mhlangeni, Mantambe, Moneni, Kudzeni , Buhlebuyeza, Nhlulweni, Sihhoye, Maseyisini, Kutsimuleni, Kwaluseni.

It explores the positive impact on women’s lives, the increased awareness of GBV issues, and the strengthening of community ownership and collaboration.

Additionally, the article reflects on lessons learned and provides recommendations to further enhance the programme's effectiveness in combating GBV. By fostering deeper understanding and promoting collective action, the initiative is contributing to lasting social change and paving the way for a future free from violence.

Key Findings and Results:

1. Positive Impact on Women’s Lives:
Many beneficiaries reported significant improvements in their lives, particularly through the economic empowerment provided by the income-generation projects.

Women were able to start or grow businesses, leading to increased financial independence and improved self-esteem. Participants in the community circle discussions expressed greater understanding of GBV issues, including how to identify and prevent violence and how to support survivors.

2. Strengthened Community Awareness and Engagement:
The artistic advocacy actions created a platform for wider community engagement. Through music, drama, and art, the programme was able to communicate its anti-GBV message in a way that resonated with diverse audiences. Community circles allowed for the meaningful inclusion of traditional leaders, men, women, and youth in the fight against GBV, helping to change perceptions and attitudes towards gender violence.

3. Increased Community Ownership and Responsibility:
The establishment of community-driven strategies for ending GBV demonstrated the communities' commitment to creating sustainable solutions. Each community developed tailored strategies, with a focus on prevention, support for survivors, and reducing the societal factors contributing to GBV. There was a notable increase in the level of accountability among community leaders and stakeholders, who were empowered to take a more active role in ending violence.

4. Collaboration and Volunteerism:
The debrief meetings with pillars of support and volunteers reinforced the importance of collective action in combating GBV. Volunteers reported feeling more empowered to continue supporting survivors and leading GBV prevention initiatives in their communities. Volunteers were also able to share lessons, ensuring that successful strategies were adopted by other communities.

5. Challenges Faced:
While the programme achieved great success, challenges included limited resources for scaling up the income-generation projects in some communities and resistance to change in certain cultural practices. Additionally, despite increased awareness, some communities still faced barriers to reporting GBV cases, including fear of stigma or retaliation.

6. Increased Awareness and Education
Established community circles have significantly increased awareness of GBV issues. Participants who normally join the community circles discussions reported a better understanding of the forms and consequences of GBV, as well as improved understanding and appreciation of human/women’s rights and relevant laws. Educational discussions integrated into circles addressed gender norms, consent, and healthy relationships.

Such discussions are useful since domestic violence is the most prevalent form of abuse in communities.

There is improved understanding on sexual reproductive health rights, gender equality and improved confidence amongst girls who are part of the One Billion Rising community circles girls.
Numbers Reached Through community circles conversations in 15 communities. over 4644 people reached or were empowered during the community circles engagements from March 2024 to December 2024.

Increase in cases reported in this reporting period
We saw an increase in cases reported this reporting period compared to the previous years. At least 376 GBV cases were reported. Some cases referred to the Police, Umphakatsi, Social welfare, NATICC, SWAGAA, Council of Swaziland Churches, Umhluma Widows and youth foundation. Women and girls are the most affected by gender based violence based on the cases reported, followed by boys then men.

Reporting Period    Cases Reported
First Qtr        153
Second Qtr        67
Third Qtr        41
Fourth Qtr        115

Lessons Learned:
1. Community Engagement is Key: Engaging all community members including traditional leaders, men, women, and youth is crucial for creating lasting change. Community-driven solutions are more sustainable and ensure local ownership of the problem and its resolution.
2. Art and Advocacy Are Powerful Tools: Artistic advocacy actions can bridge generational and cultural gaps, making complex issues like GBV more accessible and engaging for all community members.
3. Economic Empowerment Drives Change: Empowering women and young women economically not only improves their quality of life but also strengthens their position within the community and their ability to resist GBV.
4. Volunteer Support Is Vital: Volunteers serve as essential agents of change within communities. Strengthening volunteer support networks is key to maintaining momentum and ensuring the success of GBV initiatives in the long term.
5. Tailored Approaches Work Best: Strategies for addressing GBV must be context-specific and adaptable to the unique challenges and cultural dynamics of each community.

Recommendations:
1. Expand Income-Generation Projects: Greater emphasis should be placed on scaling and expanding income-generation projects, providing women with more opportunities for economic empowerment.

Through engaging with communities it came out strongly that there is a need to introduce community circles’ savings and credit cooperative transformative approach in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV); conduct circles on promoting economic empowerment for young women and as well as as feminist economic rights defenders and continuous community circles empowerment at community level.

Establishing savings and credit cooperatives for young women within community circles which presents a powerful opportunity to promote financial empowerment and sustainable development.
2. Strengthen Reporting Mechanisms: There is a need for better mechanisms and safe spaces for reporting GBV, ensuring that victims feel supported and that their cases are handled with care.
3. Increase Collaboration with Local Authorities: Strengthening partnerships with local government bodies, law enforcement, and other stakeholders will help ensure that GBV strategies are well-supported and integrated into broader national frameworks.
4. Foster Continued Volunteer Engagement: Ongoing support and training for volunteers will enhance their capacity to effectively address GBV within their communities.
5. Strengthening the use of the USSD program to reach more communities.

Conclusion:
The One Billion Rising Eswatini Community Circles Initiative has successfully impacted the lives of many women and community members by fostering greater awareness, providing economic empowerment, and promoting the active engagement of community leaders in GBV prevention.

With continued support and expansion, the programme has the potential to make an even greater impact in the coming years, contributing to the national goal of ending gender-based violence in Eswatini.

The lessons learned and the strategies developed through this initiative can serve as a model for similar community-based interventions in other regions.

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