UNICEF Eswatini Social Policy Brief Series
Advocating for the Child Grant Program in Eswatini
About
Despite its status as a middle-income country, Eswatini faces significant socio-economic challenges that disproportionately affect its children. A substantial portion of the youth population lives in poverty, with many experiencing extreme deprivation and multidimensional poverty that impacts their education, health, and overall living standards. These conditions underscore a critical need for robust social protection mechanisms that can effectively address these pervasive issues.
The proposed Child Grant Program is designed to provide direct financial support to families, empowering them to significantly improve their children's access to essential services and goods. This initiative seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of poverty and establish a solid foundation for the health, education, and economic independence of children in Eswatini.
This brief, the inaugural issue of our Social Policy Brief Series, advocates for the integration of the Child Grant into Eswatini's national social protection framework. It aims to provide not only immediate relief from financial hardship but also to initiate a transformative process within the community, driving a more inclusive and sustainable development agenda for the children in Eswatini.