Community-Based Livelihood Development for Women & Children in Swaziland Benjamin Rinehart, Chief of Party, FHI 360 June 16, 2014

Project Overview PEPFAR/USAID funded from December 1, November 30, 2016 Goal: Enhance the social and economic well-being of women in children in the communities where they live Integrated Multidisciplinary Development: Economic strengthening, legal rights and child protection, SBCC, & community development Capacity building of community-based institutions and national stakeholders in government, civil society, donor, & private sectors to scale up successful initiatives The team: FHI 360 (lead), TechnoServe, & Vusumnotfo; about 24 staff and 40 volunteers and enumerators

Geographic Coverage Six rural communities in Swaziland –Herefords, Hhohho (4,500) –Khuphuka, Lubombo (4,000) –Mpolonjeni, Lubombo (6,250) –Ndzingeni, Hhohho (4,250) –2 more to be selected in 2014

Project Activities Economic Strengthening Legal Rights & Access Child Protection SBCC & Life Skills Early Childhood Development & Education Community Development Capacity Building Advocacy & Policy

Gender in Swaziland: Law & Culture Customary law: patriarchal, women as minors 2005 Constitution promotes greater gender equality but is not known or applied in all areas Customary practices and traditions: early & forced marriages for girls, lobola (bride price); mourning periods; women & girls lack inheritance rights; no access to land for women High drop out rates for girls in secondary school

Gender in Swaziland: Health & Security GBV: poor response system & coordination; no comprehensive legal framework & poor enforcement mechanisms SRH services not accessible for young women Gender inequality significant factor in high rate of HIV prevalence HIV burden highest among women & girls; HIV prevalence rate peaks much earlier for women

How the Project Learned about Gender Issues in Swaziland Gender analysis & gender strategy Gender advisory panel, gender consortium Assessment of women’s rights & women’s access to legal services Household baseline survey Focus group discussions, beneficiary input

How the Information Influenced Design & Approach Livelihoods development is effective when complemented by social & behavior change communication & legal rights education & services Men, especially traditional leaders, are suspicious of “gender” programs For legal rights & public services, focus on the “demand” and “supply”

Project Impact: Leaders are Listening Traditional leaders are openly challenging harmful norms and customs Leaders embracing constitutional law - major paradigm shift Leaders are granting women more rights and access to nation land. Increased community awareness & recognition of women’s rights, including property and inheritance rights Increased community awareness of children’s rights Vulnerable children identified & systems in place for Increased uptake of referral services

Project Impact: Behaviors are Changing Children reporting abuse by teachers Young women are reporting more independent decision-making and less relationship dependency Young men and women are beginning to embrace more equitable gender norms Young men are also adopting healthy behaviors, which has a positive health outcome for young women

Measuring Impact Surveys: gender norms, stereotypes, and behaviors; knowledge of laws and rights; access to services; and other household economic indicators Periodic reporting from community stakeholders Focus group discussions with participants Most significant change stories