Gender Equality Eswatini Project #47936

Swazi SHEROES

by SOTENI International

Project Report | Jul 18, 2025
Empowering Young Women in Eswatini | Q1 Report - FY 2025-26

By Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD | Swazi SHEROES Advisory Board Chair

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are thrilled to update you on the progress of the Swazi SHEROES program during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26. Thanks to your continued support, we have seen significant growth and development within our cohort of 15 young women. This quarter, we focused on enhancing both soft skills and vocational training, which have helped these women strengthen their entrepreneurial abilities and personal growth, creating lasting impact in their lives and communities.

In terms of vocational training, we are proud to report a 100% retention rate among our beneficiaries. All 15 young women are actively engaged in the program, acquiring new skills and applying them practically. In the textile and design portfolio, the participants have received specialized training in designing and sewing various products such as pencil cases, small bags, cushions, pillowcases, and aprons. These items are now part of our in-house production line. Additionally, the young women have expanded their creativity through beaded jewellery, learning to make necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Some of them have even self-taught how to transform flip-flops by decorating them with beads, creating stylish accessories. One notable achievement this quarter was one of our beneficiaries, sold her handmade beaded necklaces at the Taiwan International Arts Fair. This exposure, facilitated by Phila (our inhouse Trainer), who also participated in the fair, was a major milestone for beneficiary’s entrepreneurial journey.

On the soft skills front, the cohort launched a savings and credit scheme that allows them to access small loans for starting individual income-generating activities. As a result, six of the 15 young women have successfully started their own small businesses. Furthermore, all beneficiaries participated in financial literacy and business training, which included sessions on savings, money management, and how to start a small business. These skills are foundational for ensuring the sustainability of their ventures. In addition to financial training, we provided workshops focused on time management, accountability, teamwork, communication, and self-esteem. These life skills have positively impacted the confidence and maturity of the young women, helping them take charge of their personal and professional growth. Each participant also received monthly cash transfers of E600 to support their engagement in income-generating activities and cover personal expenses.

Despite these successes, we did face some challenges this quarter. We were unable to secure a stall at one of the annual international Eswatini Arts festivals due to high competition for space. However, we are actively exploring other opportunities to showcase the women’s products at public events. Additionally, the planned baking and detergent-making workshops were suspended due to limited funding, which was a setback. We remain hopeful that we can restart these programs in the future.

Looking ahead to the next quarter, we have several exciting plans. We are exploring more affordable options for the baking training sessions to ensure this essential skill remains accessible to our beneficiaries. A new SHEROES Facebook page will also be launched to increase our visibility, engage supporters, and market the products made by our young women. We plan to ramp up production of our products, including cushions, tote bags, aprons, and jewellery, in response to growing demand, and we are excited to open a SHEROES shop in Manzini to provide a sustainable outlet for the sale of these products.

The first quarter of FY 2025-26 has been one of continued growth and success for Swazi SHEROES. With your invaluable support, we are equipping young women in Eswatini with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in both their personal and professional lives. Your investment in these women empowers them and contributes to the broader effort to achieve gender equity and economic independence in Eswatini. We look forward to your continued partnership as we move into the next quarter with renewed hope and determination. Together, we are changing lives.

Thank you – Siyabonga!

Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD

Advisory Board Chair, Swazi SHEROES

Links:

Swazi SHEROES Website

Attachments:

Swazi_SHEROES_Activity_Photos_July_2025.docx (DOCX)

1 Attachment

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Mar 19, 2025
Swazi SHEROES: Supporting Young Women in Eswatini

By Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD | Advisory Board Chair, Swazi SHEROES

Reporting period: November 2024- February 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Thank you for your support for the last 5 years of changing the lives of young women in Eswatini.Your generosity continues to help us to build the capacity of vulnerable young women to pursue financial independence and break the cycle of poverty to lead healthier lives.

With your support, Swazi SHEROES continues to provide holistic programming for young women in Eswatini with increased enrollment of 10 new young ladies into the program, increasing the cohort to 15 Young Women. We are happy to report that the facility is operating at full capacity.

The program director developed an updated skills-based curriculum for 2025 that focuses on the establishment of the individual’s beneficiary profile. These profiles are crucial for tracking the young women’s individual progress and tailoring future mentorship to their specific needs. We have expanded our life-skills workshops to provide a range of modules from focusing on the participants goals, communication skills, good decision-making sessions, sex education, and relationship life skills. This programming works in conjunction with providing life-skills training and continues to develop our participants fashion & creative design skills in sewing and craftsmanship. These modules range from design and development, material sourcing, production workflow processes from understanding all the aspects of fabric use, sewing, pattern cutting, and creating final designs. The participants have created unique home good cushion covers, placement mats, tote bags and cosmetic bags that have become our international top sellers.

As valued partners, you know that our work continues to support young women on personal and professional development which translates to their employability, entrepreneurial development, and mental and emotional wellbeing. We aim to continue to promote confident, well-equipped young women who are empowered to participate and influence society.

Our approach continues to align with three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s):

Global Health and Well Being
Global Equity and Women’s Empowerment
Decent Work and Economic Growth

2025 has been a year of growth for Swazi SHEROES with your continued support and we continue to strive to secure strong partners that support our vision. Since our inception in 2020, Swazi SHEROES has raised over $75,000 to maintain our workspace in Manzini, the largest city in Eswatini. This space has created a haven for the beneficiaries. Vital personal reflection and growth are fostered along with the skills training of sewing, handicraft, design principles, life skills, psycho-social support , and the upcoming baking modules, all of which are essential for the success of the Swati young woman. We are poised to continue to make a real difference in 2025, and beyond, as we develop our current cohort to become future entrepreneurs and welcome our fifth cohort of young women into the program.

Your support is making a huge difference in the lives of these young women and is greatly appreciated.

We are encouraged to significantly expand the reach of Swazi SHEROES in the coming year. With your generous support and the dedication of our SHEROES staff and trainees, we remain hopeful and grateful to be advancing financial independence and gender equity in Eswatini, one woman at a time.

Thank you – Siyabonga!

Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD

Advisory Board Chair, Swazi SHEROES

Attachments:

Swazi_SHEROES__Activity_Photos.docx (DOCX)

1 Attachment

Permalink

Nov 19, 2024
Creating Change, One SHERO at a Time

By Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD | Advisory Board Chair, Swazi SHEROES

Dear Friends and Supporters:

We are nearing the conclusion of our fifth year since we launched with tremendous gratitude and excitement. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and civil unrest, Swazi SHEROES continues to provide holistic programming for young women in eSwatini. Some beneficiaries have moved on to full time employment or tertiary programs, and others have recruited friends to experience the benefits of SHEROES for themselves, helping us maintain a robust roster of young women.

As valued partners, you know that we work with young women on personal and professional development which translates to their employability, entrepreneurial development, and mental and emotional wellbeing. We aim to promote confident, well-equipped young women who are empowered to participate and influence society.

In 2024, we Integrated, computer literacy and business management basics. Some of the ladies are already producing and selling items they personally designed such as hair bonnets, fascinators, home decor, etc. Some are producing kids dresses to rent out during this year’s Pre -School graduation season. We also provided a workshop facilitator who engaged with the ladies on the related sexual health issues. The Ladies have written two assessments, one from business management basics and one from a theory class in Fashion Design Basics. We are currently helping the Ladies compile a portfolio on their Skills and Work . Our approach continues to align with three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s):

Global Health and Well Being
Global Equity and Women’s Empowerment
Decent Work and Economic Growth

2024 has been a year of growth for Swazi SHEROES with your continued support and we continue to strive to secure strong partners that support our vision. Since our inception in 2020, Swazi SHEROES has raised over $50,000 to maintain our workspace in Manzini, the largest city in eSwatini. This space has created a haven for the beneficiaries. Vital personal reflection and growth are fostered along with the skills training of sewing, handicraft, design principles, life skills, and psycho-social support , all of which are essential for the success of the Swati young woman.

We are poised to continue to make a real difference in 2025, and beyond, as we develop our current cohort to become future entrepreneurs and welcome our fourth cohort of young women into the program. Your support is making a huge difference in the lives of these young women and is greatly appreciated.

Thank you – Siyabonga!

Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD

Advisory Board Chair, Swazi SHEROES

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