Swaziland (CIA World Factbook)
Last year, I traveled to Swaziland, a country roughly the size of New Jersey surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. Swaziland has about 1 million people, and has the unfortunate distinction of having the world’s highest rate of HIV/AIDS, 25.9%, and therefore a life expectancy of 48 years of age. I met an amazing cross section of young leaders, women leaders and civil society leaders, and spoke with them about best practices in communication and advocacy. They were energetic, engaged and involved in making Swaziland a better place.
And so, I was very interested to read about a campaign launched by Crossroads International this International Women’s Day, March 8 to benefit girls’ empowerment clubs in Swaziland. Crossroads is a Canadian non-governmental organization with more than 50 years of experience working in Swaziland. The group is asking Canadians to contribute enough money to fund 200 new spaces in these girls’ empowerment clubs, to help prevent abuse and the spread of HIV by building girls’ self-confidence, educating them about their rights and showing them where to turn for help. The campaign has already attracted some high profile supporters, namely Lawrence Hill, award-winning Toronto-based author of The Book of Negroes, and his wife Miranda Hill.
These girls’ empowerment clubs were launched with the support of Crossroads International, and the clubs are run by women teachers who volunteer their time to help girls acquire leadership skills and recognize and stop abuse. I am hopeful that some of the young women and girls I met in Swaziland can take advantage of these types of clubs and gain valuable self-confidence and skills.