Africa-Press – Eswatini. Solidarity statements are pouring in from different partners and champions of the One Billion Rising campaign in Eswatini in solidarity with the 2024 theme which was launched on November 23, 2023.
Local theme is “RISE! Be the New World – End Violence Against ALL Women!” Below are some of the statements:
We all need to do more to end violence, women are dying and it must stop! – By Senator Lorraine Nxumalo (Champion of the One Billion Rising Campaign)
“It seems every day we wake up to more and more reports of yet another rape, yet another killing, yet more and more violence against women.
As a legislator who is committed to promoting women’s empowerment, and inclusion of marginalised groups in all spheres of life; and as a woman who is part of the community, it breaks my heart to see the devastation gender-based violence brings to families, especially the children left behind. I feel the weight of the responsibility to do more. We all need to do more. Women are dying and this must stop!
‘‘I commend OBR Eswatini for always being at the forefront of activism to create awareness; advocate for laws, policy and accountability; strengthen GBV response agencies; and promote access to care, support, and justice for survivors. I also acknowledge the hard work that has been done by government, and many other stakeholders.
‘‘However, I think it is clear for all to see that we need to further prioritise GBV. I commend His Majesty the King for condemning GBV and urging the nation to eradicate this pandemic.
In my remarks during Parliament’s courtesy call to His Majesty King Mswati III, I pointed out that GBV in the country is at the scale of an emergency, and I welcomed the appointment of a Prime Minister who has expertise in disaster management, because he will understand the need for an accelerated response.
I reiterate that GBV must be declared a national emergency, and I look forward to further engagement on this issue in Parliament.
A new world is possible. I am an optimist so I believe the situation can change, not just in Eswatini, but all over the world since GBV, especially against women and girl-children, is a global problem. But in order to succeed we need firstly to understand that we all have a role to play, and that we are stronger when we work together.
As a One Billion Rising Eswatini Champion for the past five years, I have been part of the journey to try and remove the barriers that hamper women’s success through engaging in different ways with communities, civil society, and my own colleagues in parliament.
For me, this is exactly what the Rise for Freedom Festivals are about – experiencing the different dimensions of the struggle for a just world together, through artistic lenses, and strengthening solidarity with each other, and with all those participating in other festivals and campaigns around the world to call for an end to poverty, hatred, violence and injustice.
As we look forward to the Rising Festival on ending GBV in 2024, I RISE and pledge to continue to work for the betterment of the lives of women, youth, persons with disability and all those who are excluded.
I will RISE and play my part in ‘Being the New World’; I will RISE to end violence against women! Asisukume Sonkhe Silwe nekuhlukubetana,” said Senator Lorraine Nxumalo.
Violence seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and freedoms on a basis of equality with men – by The Human Rights Consortium within CANGO
“Eswatini is known to be a relatively peaceful country. However, the high level of gender-based violence (GBV) seems to dispel this notion. The recent scourge of GBV cases is no new phenomenon. This violence seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and freedoms on a basis of equality with men.
The lack of reliable and frequent statistics on GBV cases and occurrences is also a challenge as evidence-based interventions are more effective. The Human Rights Consortium, under the auspices of CANGO recognises GBV as a human rights violation and advocates for adequate resources to be allocated towards dealing with the horrific rampant GBV cases. We also urge those in power to be exemplarity and not abuse women too.
The GBV crises needs all structures of society to work together.
do not want the younger generation to think that problems and disagreements are resolved through violence.
We encourage all citizens to exercise restraint and talk issues through relevant stakeholders. We stand in solidarity with all victims of Gender Based Violence and urge relevant stakeholders to set up mechanisms to address the scourge.
End violence against all women!” – said the Human Rights Consortium within CANGO.
Ending violence against women requires a multi-faceted approach – by Women Unlimited Eswatini Executive Director, Vimbai Kapurura
“Women Unlimited Eswatini stands strong in solidarity for a new world, free from violence against women. In the Spirit of the 16 days of activism campaign, Women Unlimited Eswatini passionately declares its unwavering support for the theme ‘Rise! Be the New World, End Violence Against All Women.’
As advocates for gender equality and champions of women’s rights, we raise our collective voice to address the pervasive issue of violence against women, a global challenge that demands urgent attention and concerted efforts. In our pursuit of a society where every woman can live free from fear and violence, Women Unlimited recognizes the need for a transformative shift in attitudes, policies and practices.
It is incumbent upon us all to break the chains of silence and complicity that perpetuate the cycle of violence. By standing together , we can create a new world- a world where the dignity, safety, and well being of every woman are non-negotiable.
We firmly believe that ending violence against women requires a multi-faceted approach that encompasses legal reforms, comprehensive support systems, and robust education initiatives. As we rise to be the architects of this new world, we call upon individuals, communities, and institutions to join us in fostering a culture of respect, equality, and empathy.
During these 16 days of activism , we invite everyone to engage in meaningful conversations, share stories, and amplify the voices of survivors. In unity and solidarity, at Women Unlimited Eswatini we affirm our commitment to being a driving force in the movement to end violence against all women. Together let us rise and shape a new world- one that is safe, inclusive, and empowering for every woman,” – said women Unlimited Eswatini Executive Director, Vimbai Kapurura.
GBV is preventable and comprehensive strategies are needed to address its root causes and end its impunity – by African Women Peace and Development Foundation (AWPDF)
“We are writing to express our solidarity with your mission to end gender-based violence and to support the rights and dignity of women and girls.
We recognise that gender-based violence is not only a violation of human rights but also a significant obstacle to achieving sustainable development (SDGs), peace, and security. We acknowledge that gender-based violence is rooted in unequal power relations, harmful social norms, and systemic discrimination.
We are committed to joining you in raising our voices, standing up for justice, and breaking the silence and the cycle of violence that continues unabated. We call on all stakeholders, primarily government, civil society, private sector, and media, to rally together to end gender-based violence in Eswatini. The call is urgent! Too many lives have been lost and continue to be lost, children traumatized, families destroyed.
We remain steadfast in calling for GBV to be declared a national emergency!’’ by AWPDF.
The freedom and ability to think, imagine, express and create is an intrinsic right for all human beings – Yebo Art Gallery
Yebo! Art Gallery stands in solidarity with One Billion Rising’s call to action, ‘Rise! be the New World, End violence against All women’. As a gallery that has persistently amplified the voices of women and girls in Eswatini’s creative industry through our various workshops and exhibitions, we stand in support of this call to action. Through our work in the arts, we have had the opportunity to empower women and girls through skills development in design.
These efforts towards skills development embody our beliefs in the continued independence and growth of women and girls in Eswatini and through our work, we strive for a country were gender equality is a standard.
The freedom and ability to think, imagine, express and create is an intrinsic right for all human beings and Yebo works to give women and girls the chance to access and exercise that right. Yebo strives to be a safe space for all and we stand against all forms of oppression against women and girls. We implore all other members of our community to join us in doing so.
Join us and On Billion Rising, and ‘Rise Against Violence’. One Billion Rising Eswatini is looking forward to the 2024 ‘Rising’ of emaswati in unity against the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, particularly violence against women; and the inequality in our society that perpetuates poverty, abuse and marginalisation. We invite everyone who longs for a better world to join us as we connect through art, to imagine a more just world ourselves and the generations to come.
Why Rise?
The world is in turmoil. Wars, poverty, oppression, destruction, and sustained violent eradications of freedom continue, and are aggravated in the contexts of gender, race, environmental issues, youth, indigenous and workers’ rights.
Eswatini has not been spared as the country continues to grapple with multiple socio-economic and political challenges. Amongst the most urgent is the escalation in levels of violence against women.
This year we have seen an increase in femicide – the killing of women – on an unprecedented scale, murdered in the most brutal and horrific ways, in most instances, by their spouses or partners.
The rising figures of GBV are not just numbers – they are human beings whose security and bodily integrity have been egregiously violated, and in too many cases, without access to support and justice, and with impunity of perpetrators. The impact of GBV permeates all levels of society, and we cannot afford to continue like this!
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