Ezulwini

Local governments are closer to the people they represent than national governments are. They are more cognizant of the requirements, difficulties, and goals of their communities. Because of their close closeness, they are able to create locally specific policies and activities that successfully address human rights issues at the grassroots level. Examples will include programmes that have been implemented in the municipality such as the Menstrual health campaign. This came after the realisation that everyone in the community needed information on menstruation to give support to the girls and young women going through this monthly growth and development milestone. Every girl and young woman goes through the monthly menstrual period and no matter the socio-economic status, women need to access sanitary wear and information on menstrual health. The campaign aims to mobilize stakeholders to create awareness of the menstrual Health needs of Girls and Young Women. The target is the Girls and Young women, boys and guardians or parents, and the community at large. 

Human Rights Instrument Implementation: Local and regional administrations are in charge of carrying out international human rights instruments and national laws locally. They are able to convert international human rights norms into useful measures that have an immediate effect on people's lives. Local governments contribute to the protection and advancement of human rights within their borders by making sure that laws are upheld and human rights instruments are implemented. 

Cooperation and Partnerships: At the local level, municipal and regional governments possess the ability to work together with academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other relevant parties. They can effectively solve human rights concerns by leveraging resources, experience, and information through the development of partnerships. Working together encourages variety, inclusivity, and active engagement, which results in more all-encompassing and long-lasting solutions. One example in this regard is that the Municipality recently engaged the University of Eswatini to partner in activating public open spaces to green usable open spaces within the local municipality to improve the wellbeing of the citizens. 

Accessible Governance: By making governance more approachable, local and regional administrations increase public involvement and participation. They provide chances for people and communities to express their concerns, participate in decision-making, and demand accountability from those in positions of authority. In addition to guaranteeing that human rights are respected and maintained, this participatory approach improves democratic governance.

Why human rights are meaningful values and a useful framework to guide the local action:

• Universality: The foundation of human rights is the inherent equality and dignity of every person, irrespective of their origins, identities, or social standing. They guarantee justice, fairness, and inclusivity by offering a global benchmark against which regional initiatives and regulations can be evaluated.

• Empowerment: Human rights empower individuals and communities to claim their rights, participate in decision-making processes, and challenge discriminatory practices. By adopting a human rights framework, local governments can empower their constituents and create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to society.

• Social Cohesion: Respect, tolerance, and understanding among neighbors are all fostered by human rights, which in turn strengthen social cohesion. Local initiatives that are motivated by human rights values help create inclusive communities where prejudice is eradicated and diversity is valued.

• Sustainable Development: There is a tight relationship between human rights and sustainable development. Through the incorporation of human rights into local policies and initiatives, governments can tackle social, economic, and environmental issues from an integrated perspective. This strategy makes sure that development is sustainable, helps the entire community, and leaves no one behind. 

In conclusion, due to their close proximity to the populace, their function in putting human rights instruments into practice, their capacity for cooperation and partnership-building, and their emphasis on accessible governance, local and regional governments are critical to the advancement of human rights. Human rights provide universality, empowerment, social cohesiveness, and a route towards sustainable development, which serve as important values and a helpful framework that direct local actions.