Litsemba Rising: Student Champions Equipped to Lead the Fight Against Campus Sexual Harassment through TOF I-III

Litsemba Rising: Student Champions Equipped to Lead the Fight Against Campus Sexual Harassment through TOF I-III

What began as an introduction to a peer-driven model for tackling sexual harassment on Eswatini’s campuses has grown into a fully-fledged student-led movement. Over the course of three intensive trainings; Training of Facilitators I, II and III (TOF I-III), held under the Unlimited Interact Clubs (UIC) programme, student champions have been equipped with the skills, confidence, and vision to lead change at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).The Initiative is supported by the UK Aid Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the What Works II programme.

TOF I: Laying the Foundation

The first training, TOF I, laid the foundation. Participants were introduced to the UIC’s unique goal and approach: a club-based, peer-driven model designed to shift harmful norms and prevent sexual harassment.Facilitators walked through the six UIC sessions and their key themes, emphasizing how each session builds sequentially from awareness to action. Student champions were also guided through their distinct roles, drawing from the Facilitator Manual, and asked to reflect on how their leadership fits within the UIC change logic. Central to this stage was the introduction of feminist guiding principles, which shaped champions’ understanding of equity, respect, and accountability.

TOF II: From Theory to Practice

Building on this foundation, TOF II shifted from theory to practice. Champions revisited the core facilitator competencies; from content fidelity and interactive techniques to time management, co-facilitation, and managing group dynamics. These competencies were not taught abstractly; instead, participants tested themselves against them in practical exercises.

TOF III: Deepening the Work

By the time the Student Champions were introduced to TOF III in the last week of the training, the programme had matured into something much deeper. Champions explored safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and psychological first aid, learning to respond to disclosures with empathy and discretion without assuming the role of counsellors.Using the internationally recognized LIVES framework: Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety, Support, they practiced real-world scenarios and debated dilemmas such as how to handle cases involving senior officials or incidents occurring outside safe hours on campus. Student Champions were also reminded that whilst protecting others, they must care for themselves, introducing strategies for collective and individual wellbeing.

A New Name, A Shared Vision

The training concluded with both reflection and celebration. After months of co-creation, the student-led intervention was officially re-named: LITSEMBA RISING translated to Rising Hope to inspire resilience, courage, and collective action against sexual harassment on campus.With their combined training, determination, and the support of Women Unlimited Eswatini and its partners, these student leaders are prepared to be the driving force of a safer, more inclusive university community. Litsemba is indeed rising!