World Vision Condemns Child Abuse and Calls for Collective Action to Protect Children

World Vision has noted with disappointment the continuous mistreatment and harm to children by various individuals in the country, including their caregivers who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of the children. It is even more sad that children continue to suffer violence even in their homes, where they are expected to be most safe. As a child-focused organisation, Child Protection is one of our key priorities, even as we implement our various programmes in the communities we serve.

We are touched by the many children in Eswatini who suffer violence daily. We are particularly concerned and pained by the plight of the two children (aged 6 years and 4 years) who were reportedly abused by their caregiver at Siphumelele community in Nhlangano, resulting in the death of one of the children.

As an organisation working in this area, we worked with the family and police to provide basic needs. We are committed to providing further support to the family towards the quick recuperation of the child. We applaud the neighbours and community members for raising the alarm and for the quick response, including by law enforcement officials. Indeed, this is a demonstration of what we believe, that child protection is everyone’s business.

We continue to pray for the quick recuperation of the child. We believe the courts of the land will mete out the appropriate sanctions in line with the country’s legislation, including the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2012 and the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018.

We call upon all stakeholders and communities to stand up and fight against any violations of children’s rights by preventing and reporting such. Children deserve and need love, respect and dignity; therefore, it is everyone’s duty to ensure these are afforded to them and that no harm comes to children.

Our vision for every child is life in all its fullness, and our prayer for every heart is the will to make it so.