National Youth Policy 2020.

The National Youth Policy 2020 (NYP 2020) builds on the 2009 Policy Document but several issues have been reframed, changed and strengthened, in light of the ever-evolving nature of youth issues. This is a two-pillar policy, focused, firstly on building the capabilities of young people and secondly, on the creation of opportunities for young people to utilize their capabilities.
The Document primarily outlines the state of young people in Eswatini, highlighting most pressing challenges that young people face in the country, these include HIV, gender-based violence, unemployment and poverty, among others. Furthermore, the three-phases policy development process is presented, achievements and gaps of the previous National Youth Policy 2009 are discussed and references to International Instruments are made.
The NYP 2020 specific objectives are to: 1) Improve the consolidation and integration of youth development programs into all government ministries’ and stakeholders’ programs and policies; 2) Provide guidelines for facilitating youth development across sectors and stakeholders for the attainment of positive youth development outcomes; 3) Strengthen the coordination of the youth development programme in government, funding partners, development partners and civil society organizations including youth led organizations and networks; 4) Increase the effective participation of young people in their development and that of their communities. The NYP 2020 then develops discussing each policy statement and related policy implications, the topics entail: Education and Training; Innovation, entrepreneurship and employment; Social Competence; Health and Wellbeing; Food and Nutrition Security; Social Capital; Good governance and leadership; Capacity development and Infrastructure; . Research, monitoring, evaluation and learning within youth development work.
The Policy lists improvement of food security and nutrition among its policy statements; food and nutrition is defined as access by all people to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life (FAO 2008). The Policy continues stating that the two last elements imply that food security is not an end on its own, but a means to achieving an active and healthy life. Food and nutrition security will therefore enable young people to achieve a healthy status and also be active, hence being productive and participating in their development and that of their communities. The unlimited access to adequate nutritious food by young people will also ensure the opportunity to maximize benefits from other youth development interventions.
The Policy addresses agricultural sector production systems in an integrated way promoting and embedding sustainable development principles across the document and actions.
Rural poverty reduction as well is a focal point in the Policy; specific objectives, targets and activities concerning rural youth employment are identified and discussed.
Moreover the Policy promotes more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems; “All young people shall be encouraged and supported to participate in agricultural production and agricultural value chain systems through the provision of relevant and appropriate education, training and opportunities”.
The coordination of the NYP 2020 shall be facilitated through the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC) and the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs (MoSCYA) for the civil society organizations and government ministries and departments. This coordination mechanism will follow a well-documented and clear structure with specific roles and responsibilities for each of the involved partners.