Our Programme



Skillshare International Ireland works in the Health, Education and Economic Empowerment sectors in Southern Africa. We address the themes of Gender, HIV and AIDS, Peace building and Human Rights across our work. Currently, the main focus of our programme is ona project to prevent gender-based violence in Swaziland, a fisheries development project in Mozambique, a regional HIV and AIDS project in Southern Africa, a human rights project in Botswana and access to health care in Lesotho. We also work on development awareness.



 



Preventing Gender-based Violence in Swaziland



Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major problem in Swaziland. Traditional structures marginalize women and girls as well as orphans and vulnerable children, making them susceptible to HIV/AIDS, incest, abuse and rape. Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world - at 42% of the adult population. Women are more likely to become infected than men - through sexual contact and as primary care givers. Gender disparities exacerbate the problem by reducing women's voice and choice in issues such as safe sex negotiation, sexual and reproductive rights.^{_{Above: SWAAGA counselling site}}



The numbers of orphans, currently estimated at 70,000, is projected to rise to 120,000 by 2015 (out of a total population of just over one million). The scale of the problem surpasses the government's capacity to address it effectively. There is no structured system for taking care of orphans, so they are subject to all forms of abuse by neighbours and relatives.



SWAGAA - Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse - has successfully raised awareness on abuse and GBV over the past ten years. It has also advocated review of the relevant legislation and stiffer sentences for perpetrators. In 2005/6, SWAGAA counselled a total of 2,275 clients who were victims of sexual abuse, emotional, physical and economic exploitation. A large number of cases remain unreported due to fear and official indifference.



_{Above: Skillshare International Ireland Director, Fran Flood & SWAAGA Director, Nonhlanhla Dlamini.}



Skillshare, in partnership with SWAGAA, have successfully developed a project to support survivors of abuse by enabling them to:



- develop sustainable livelihoods;



- strengthen their voices at all levels in raising awareness of the problem.;



- advocate for the development of relevant policies in the area of GBV;



- play active roles in implementing SWAGAA programs;



and to develop the capacity of SWAGAA to respond effectively to their needs and advocate for change at community and national level.



Irish Aid is contributing 75% of the budget for this project. Thank you also to the RTE Staff One World Fund for helping to co-fund this project. We need voluntary support for the balance of the funds - could you make a donationtowards preventing abuse of women and children?



Mozambique: Building capacity in the Fisheries Sector



Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over half the population living in extreme poverty. 70% live in coastal zones and rely on fishing as a source of income. Despite this, the artisanal - small scale, traditional - fisheries sector is far below its potential.



One of the most critical issues has been the lack of technical capacity. There is a need for more qualified staff and more capacity building to improve performance of fisheries activities. Communities lack access to health, water and education facilities, adequate roads, etc. There is poor fish conservation and processing, decreasing catch rates. Artisanal fisheries don't have access to private sector market outlets. The sector lacks the managerial and institutional capacity to successfully service its' needs.





Skillshare International Ireland is working with the Mozambique Institute of Small Scale Fishing Development (IDPPE) in a project to build capacity in the fisheries sector. This will reduce poverty and support disadvantaged and marginalised communities in Mozambique through increasing the productivity of small scale fisheries. The project also provides institutional support and capacity building for the IDPPE and fishing community to improve their internal organisation, strengthen their financial management, planning and policy capacities, thus ensuring the development of the small scale fisheries sector. This in turn will improve productivity in the sector and reduce poverty.



The project will place skilled personnel to share skills and expertise with counterparts within the IDPPE in the areas of advocacy, policy development, conflict resolution and fisheries technology, and alongside these interventions to develop community capacity to manage small scale fisheries.



Irish Aid is contributing 75% of the budget for this project. We need voluntary support for the balance of the funds - could youmake a donation to support Mozambique's fisheries community?



HIV and AIDS project  In this project, we work with networks of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland. Our partner organisation in each of these countries will be supported by a Skillshare International Ireland development worker funded by Irish Aid. Thanks also to ElectricAid, the social justice fund of ESB staff and pensioners, for co-funding this project.  Development worker strengthens government campaign to cut HIV and AIDS in Lesotho  Sewing project for PLWHA in Mozambique  Support group for PLWHA in Lesotho



Human Rights project  DITSHWANELO, which means 'rights' in Setswana, is the Botswana Centre for Human Rights. It promotes and protects human rights in Botswana and Southern Africa by advocating for changes in laws and government policies, educating the public, conducting research, and providing direct para-legal support to individuals below the poverty line. Skillshare International development worker Robyn Cox completed a placement as Fundraiser & Communications Advisor at DITSHWANELO.   Robyn took this photo of her colleagues at DITSHWANELO in Botswana. Left to right: Peter Tshukudu (Information Programme Coordinator), Oteng Majuta (Activism & Information Programme Assistant) and Jeroen Lorist (Fundraising & Communications Coordinator). Peter, Oteng and Jeroen are working with other civil society organisations on public education about human rights. They are planning public workshops to gain a deeper understanding of public attitudes to human rights issues. Their research will enable DITSHWANELO and other organisations to work together to raise public awareness of rights, responsibilities and support that is available when rights are violated. The team also manages the many activities which DITSHWANELO already undertakes to raise awareness of human rights issues, such as the annual Human Rights Film Festival in March-April, workshops regarding specific issues of concern from minority rights to the situation in neighbouring Zimbabwe, and the publication of resources such as DITSHWANELO's 'Know your Law' series of booklets on various common legal matters.

Access to Health Care  This project is enabling adults and children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS to access health care in Lesotho. Skillshare International Ireland has four development workers working with our partner organisations in this project, one of whom is Charles Kibaara.



Development Awareness



Skillshare International Ireland has an opportunity to make a distinct contribution to development work in Ireland. We belong to several development awareness structures and networks such as Comhlámh, Dóchas and IDEA. We are also developing and strengthening our relationships with returned development workers who are based in Ireland.



Further information on our development awareness programme.



 



Back to:




• Gender-based violence project in Swaziland

• Fisheries development project in Mozambique,

• HIV/AIDS project in Southern Africa

• Human rights project in Botswana

• Development awareness.




 



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