What's Next congres 2016 - Dudu Dlamini

Transition to Alternative Child Care

CONGRESS NETHERLANDS 13 October 2016

Country Political Statues Quo  

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Swaziland is an absolute monarchy, with ultimate authority over executive, legislative and Judicial matters vested in the King.

Swaziland is governed by the legal dual System with the western having different authorities and structures from the traditional structure which is the Swazi law and custom.

Parliamentary elections are held every 5 years, and these are conducted according to the traditional tinkhundla system in which candidates run as independence in demarcated constituencies.

Despite that the laws and policies of the country appear to provide an enabling environment, young people in Swaziland face serious challenges in accessing and influencing policymaking processes and government in the country.

The Public Order Act which has restrictions on public gatherings considering that our work is conducted in the communities mainly this Act will affect us.

Overall, Swaziland is politically stable in relation to the occurrences of civil wars.

Background: Causes for Vulnerability Are:  Degradation of family structures and lack of support within the family  Orphaned (where at least one or both parents are deceased)  Abandoned, Abused and Neglected  Lack of capacity at community level to take care of their own children  Poverty, Chronic hunger and poor health of parents  Unemployment of parents/guardians leading to economic hardship Resulting in:  58.7 % children orphaned or abandoned as reported in 2015 SOS Feasibility Study  The same above study reflected rates of child poverty at 74% Lubombo, 72% Shiselweni 70% Hhohho and 66% Manzini Regions.  26% of orphaned children who participated attend preschool education and most preschools are informal and thus do not comply with the pre-primary curriculum Urgent need:  In Swaziland communities and government are often not well financially equipped to care for these children. It is an urgent crises that demands an ambitious response from everyone of us. IF WE DO NOT ACT NOW, the children could become a lost generation affecting the entire Swazi society.

WHY Alternative Care 

NECESSITY-It is necessary as millions of children globally are at risk of losing parental care. It maintain the desire to support children to remain with, and cared for by, their family.

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APPROPRIATENESS-It is governed through set international standards guiding the implementation on the basis of UNCRC.

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It ensure a child's needs are catered for individually while keeping siblings together and provide an arena for natural integration.

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Contextual Approach Preferred

• Other Forms of Family Based Care - It could be supported with other partners and creating space for other meaningful stakeholders such as caregivers who are not related to the children biologically Contributing to UBUNTU. • Foster Care - In the best interest of the child it is a service primarily owned/supported by government as primary duty bearer. SOS CV is in the process of supporting the initiation of the National Programme.

• Kinship Care - A whole weakling support system will be revamped/set up for the betterment of the target and supporting participants who will

be empowered as well as owning the service for its further development and attainment of lost society pride.

Other Forms of FBC     

Outside SOS CV traditional village Within the larger communities Partnering with caregivers and like minded organizations No long-term overheads costs incurred No need for integration of youth as would be growing in places of origin  Number of children and ages not determining factor for family set up

Traditional SOS CV Village

Children/Youth Participation

Foster Care  Involve the government meaningfully  Create space for sound partnerships  Community involvement bringing back care responsibility where it belongs  Creates national support system in the area of care  Provides parental skills development and family Strengthening  Well structured approach with good resourcing by the state

Kinship Care

 Revive and strengthens the family fabric  Compliments the care muscle for the immediate family members for accommodating it own  Contribute to sound social interactions

Roles of Partnership: A case of Swaziland

SOS CV Swaziland

Government of Swaziland

Provide lengthy experience in child care— prevention and care

Provide effective frameworks and favorable laws and policies

Build family and community capacity to take effective responsibility

Provide job creation mechanism for young people

Support like-minded partners and organizations on the ground to streamline child care services

Provide leadership and take leading roles in health care, proper and inclusive education

Lobby and influence government to enact favorable laws, policies and better practices on children

Provide significant funding to cover costs e.g. Free Primary education, OVC Fund

The End

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