Responding to the ICPD Programme of Action, Eswatini developed its National Population Policy (NPP) Framework in 2003 to guide the implementation of population issues. The ultimate objective of the NPP was to improve the quality of life of Emaswati by influencing the demographic trends as well as to respond to the challenge of HIV and AIDS. The policy has never been updated since it was adopted in 2003 whilst the country’s economic, social, legislative and demographic landscape, has evolved.
At the beginning of 2020, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development in collaboration with UNFPA, embarked on an extensive process of reviewing the National Population Policy framework of Eswatini. The exercise entailed consultations with various stakeholders to solicit their views with regards to the future direction of the policy. The process continued through 2020 and 2021 amidst COVID-19 lockdowns. A comprehensive review and draft policy report was produced. The report outlines the progress and challenges in the implementation of the 2003 NPP with a view to inform the new policy direction. An attempt was made to produce a shorter and concise version. However, this version requires further review in terms of teasing out the thematic issues that emerged from the consultations. The revised version will be beefed up where necessary through targeted stakeholder engagements and then validated through wider stakeholder consultations.
Objectives:
The revision of the population policy is undertaken to incorporate emerging socio-economic and demographic issues to make better the lives of Emaswati.
