Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has handed over 250 dignity kits to four organisations supporting vulnerable children and young people, as part of efforts to address period poverty and safeguard the dignity and wellbeing of girls.
The handover, which took place today, was held under the Hlonipheka/Thriving for Dignity Programme, a joint initiative of the Government of Eswatini, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The kits were distributed to Vulamasango, Kwakha Indvodza, Haven of Hope and Moya Centre, with Vulamasango receiving the largest allocation of 150 kits. Kwakha Indvodza received 50, while Haven of Hope and Moya Centre each received 25.
Handing over the kits on behalf of UNFPA was Officer-in-Charge Thamary Silindza, who highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable girls in accessing sanitary products during their menstrual cycles. Silindza said a recent study had revealed that many girls were resorting to unhygienic materials because they could not afford sanitary products, exposing them to health risks and compromising their dignity.
She said UNFPA Eswatini, with support from the European Union, had partnered to provide the dignity kits as part of efforts to protect the health, dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable beneficiaries. Speaking during the handover, Dladla said her office had a mandate to provide the country’s social protection architecture, with particular focus on preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV), as well as protecting children. 
She described the donation as evidence of what could be achieved through strong partnerships between the government, development partners and civil society organisations. “This handover stands as a shining testament to what we can achieve through strong multi-sectoral partnerships. I extend my deepest gratitude to our international partners, the European Union for their steadfast financial support, and UNFPA for their technical leadership under the Hlonipheka Programme,” said Dladla.
She also paid tribute to civil society organisations, shelter managers, day space coordinators and frontline workers for their contribution to maintaining the country’s social protection systems. The Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening legislative frameworks, expanding survivor-centred responses and ensuring that no child or survivor was left behind. She expressed hope that the dignity kits would serve as symbols of dignity, healing and a brighter future for the beneficiaries.
