Swaziland is one of the world’s poorest countries but it receives very little international monetary support. Ten percent of the 1.36 million population of Swaziland controls almost half the national wealth whilst it is estimated that around 70 percent of the people live below the poverty line of US $1 per day. Social and economic problems are rooted in the world’s most severe HIV/AIDS pandemic and years of persistently low economic growth have led to stubbornly high poverty. Many Swazis live in chronic poverty and food shortages are widespread. AIDS is taking a heavy toll with more than a quarter of the adult population believed to be infected with HIV. Economically, growth has been particularly stunted, either through climatic conditions such as drought and floods, if not overgrazing, soil depletion and the like.

With its unique political and economic situation, Swaziland finds itself on the brink of collapse. Politically, King Mswati III rules by decree over his people; most of whom live in the countryside and follow traditional ways of life. The highly patriarchal nature of the country also hinders progress by preventing the active societal participation of women, also placing children at high risk.

Positive Women works with a local organisation called Swaziland for Positive Living, who implement our programmes. Together we work directly with people in rural communities to develop and fund programmes that best meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Through working together we hope that through working together, we can empower the women and children in Swaziland to build a better future.

Over the past five years, we have been primarily focussing upon supporting the orphans and vulnerable children, income generation, food security and advocacy. Through our work and in partnership with local Swaziland charities, we have:

• EDUCATE
  Supported 700 children through primary school education and provided school uniforms and school equipment for them to be able to learn without facing discrimination and have an equal chance.
  
• INNOVATE
  We have provided a sustainable food programme to 500 people, through setting up small scale farming projects within communities, as well as providing emergency food packages to orphans and vulnerable communities.
  
  We have support two income generation projects, through the start up phase, providing training and the basic materials benefiting over 200 people.
  
• ADVOCATE
  We have been providing advocacy and rights training to 1000 people. The training has ranged from sexual health, legal rights, general health and women and child rights. This has led to a substantial shift in attitudes and understanding of the community members, which has in turn changed their behaviour and improved their lives substantially.