Africa-Press – Eswatini. SAfAIDS Eswatini, with support from UNICEF, brought its youth focused HIV prevention and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) campaign to Mahlalini under Shiselweni II Inkhundla. The event engaged both girls and boys aged 15 to 24, aiming to empower them with life saving knowledge and access to youth friendly services.
Eswatini continues to face one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with about 26% of the population living with HIV. Around 4,000 new infections occur each year, nearly 30% of which affect adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Limited access to information, youth friendly services, and high risk behaviours remain key drivers of new infections especially among young people.
At Mahlalini, participants took part in engaging discussions on abstinence, HIV prevention, PrEP education, SRHR services, and positive living. They received health services from FLAS’ mobile clinic and HIV testing from AHF Eswatini.
Partner organisations included FLAS, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (Ready Plus), Shiselweni SRH, and the Royal Eswatini Police Service, which led awareness sessions on crime prevention and substance abuse.
SAfAIDS also showcased its MobiSAfAIDS App, a digital platform where youth can access information, log service issues, and monitor SRHR service delivery in real time. The app supports 25 facilities nationwide under the SAM4SRHR model, which has already helped train over 70 healthcare workers and register more than 1,700 young users.
Sibonginkhosi Matsenjwa, SAfAIDS Programme Officer, stressed the importance of these youth friendly spaces. “We are not only giving out information but also creating platforms where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered to make decisions that protect their health and future,” he said.
The campaign also featured performances by Gedlembane B83, Mavara Le Poet, Ligwalagwala Educators, and drama by the FLAS Youth Action Movement (YAM). MC kept energy levels high throughout the event.
Information stalls from all partners provided free materials and one on one interactions. Over 200 young people attended the Mahlalini event, gaining access to both knowledge and care.
SAfAIDS will continue hosting similar outreach campaigns across Eswatini’s four regions to promote HIV prevention, improve SRH knowledge, and increase uptake of services among adolescents and young people.
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