UNESCO stepped in to support a campaign led by Eswatini Communications Commission under the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology working together with the Ministry of Education, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Child Protection Unit and the Royal Eswatini Police Cyber Unit.
The campaign, which runs under the tagline ’Asphepheni secure our world!’ (which translates in full to ‘Let’s be safe, secure our world’) has since reached close to 5,000 learners through school activations and 10,000 people through billboards displayed in the Matsapha Central Business District.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness and sensitize young learners on cyberbullying, share referral mechanisms and guidance on how to report incidents via the 116 hotline. It also aims to create a culture of responsible online citizenship through collaboration between school and families, integrating child online safety into everyday learning and community life, and equipping key gatekeepers with practical skills and safeguarding techniques to protect children in digital spaces.
“These sensitization campaigns need to happen more continuously,” says Macandza Mamba, the principal of Somnjalose High School. “When young learners face cyberbullying, it creates a feeling of insecurity, which can often lead to emotional distress and even suicidal thoughts. Speaking about it through this campaign has really helped both learners and educators to be more aware about cyberbullying.”
