Project Background
“Partners in Parenting” is a project aimed at addressing the developmental gaps in young children caused by limited father involvement in their lives. Over the years, through our various community programs, we’ve observed that 46% of households are headed by single women. This project brings together mothers, fathers (or father figures), and other caregivers, through workshops and monthly meetings designed to empower them with skills to raise children together in a collaborative way. By promoting a more balanced approach to parenting, this initiative ensures children grow up in a well-rounded environment, while also alleviating the burden on women who often bear the full responsibility of family life. Activities:
- Monthly Parenting Workshops
- Homestead visits for monitoring
- Family Planning Services
The Context
Historically, young boys and girls received informal training to become responsible fathers and mothers through a traditional practice known as egumeni and esangweni. Egumeni involved grandmothers guiding girls on how to become good women, while esangweni was a practice where grandfathers mentored boys on how to be responsible men. These structures were deeply embedded in communities, passing down vital knowledge and social roles.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a profound and devastating impact on families, leading to the loss of countless parents and grandparents to the disease. This widespread loss has disrupted traditional family structures and support systems, creating a significant void in the transmission of cultural knowledge, values, and responsibilities that are typically passed down through generations. Consequently, an increasing number of children are now being raised predominantly by their mothers, often without the extended family support that once played a crucial role in child-rearing.
Recent statistics shed light on this alarming trend. A 2020 survey by MC found that 46% of children in Eswatini are raised by single mothers, a reflection of the broader social shifts caused by the pandemic. Furthermore, the 2016/17 Eswatini Household Income and Expenditure Survey revealed that nearly half (49.4%) of households in the country are headed by females. This demographic shift underscores the urgent need to address the challenges faced by single-parent households, as well as the growing absence of extended family networks that historically provided essential support in times of crisis. It highlights the importance of strengthening social safety nets and ensuring that these households have access to the resources they need to thrive.
