Support 82 Sexual Violence Survivors in Eswatini

In January 2026, Super Buddies Club enrolled six survivors of gender-based violence into vocational education and entrepreneurship training programmes at Ngihlomise Youth Skills Academy in Big Bend. The initiative aims to reduce the vulnerability of young women to gender-based violence through economic empowerment, skills development, and increased access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The beneficiaries were enrolled in vocational programmes including plumbing, occupational health and safety, and fashion design and dressmaking. Upon completion of their studies, the students will be attached to companies for on-the-job training to enhance their practical experience and improve their access to employment opportunities.

To strengthen their entrepreneurial capacity, the students will also receive training in computer literacy, digital skills, business management, and entrepreneurship. This will prepare them to establish and manage their own businesses in the event they do not secure formal employment.

In addition, the project will support the beneficiaries through:

• Business establishment and startup mentorship
• Product marketing through social media platforms
• Digital and AI skills training to increase access to online work opportunities
• Mentorship on company registration and compliance
• Market linkages and networking opportunities
• Connections to financial institutions for access to grants and loans

The project seeks to empower survivors of gender-based violence with sustainable income-generating opportunities, improve their self-reliance, and restore dignity and confidence through economic inclusion.

Challenges

1. Limited Funding for Tuition Fees
   The programme currently faces inadequate financial resources to fully support tuition fees for all enrolled survivors of gender-based violence. This limits the number of vulnerable young women who can access vocational and entrepreneurship training opportunities.
2. Inadequate Training Materials and Equipment
   The institution lacks sufficient practical training materials and equipment required for hands-on learning in courses such as plumbing and fashion design. This affects the quality of practical training and skills acquisition.
3. Limited Capacity to Recruit and Retain Qualified Trainers
   Financial constraints limit the academy’s ability to adequately compensate trainers and technical instructors, which may affect the consistency and quality of training delivery.
4. Lack of Startup Capital for Graduates
   Many beneficiaries complete training without access to startup kits, equipment, or seed capital needed to establish businesses or become self-employed.
5. Limited Digital Infrastructure and ICT Resources
   The programme has insufficient computers, internet access, and digital learning resources required to equip beneficiaries with modern digital and AI-related skills.
6. Transportation and Psychosocial Support Challenges
   Some beneficiaries struggle with transport costs and psychosocial challenges related to their experiences of violence, which can affect attendance, participation, and retention during training.

Funding Needs

The project is seeking financial and technical support in the following areas:

• Tuition fees for vocational and entrepreneurship training
• Procurement of training materials and practical equipment
• Purchase of sewing machines, plumbing toolkits, and protective clothing
• Computer equipment and internet connectivity for digital skills training
• Trainer and facilitator allowances
• Startup kits and seed funding for graduates
• Transport support for vulnerable beneficiaries
• Psychosocial support and mentorship services
• Monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes
• Business incubation and market linkage activities