Africa-Press – Eswatini. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, together with her delegation, has joined fellow African member states for the Ministerial Consultative Meeting on the Africa Pre-Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
The session is being held under the theme: “Promoting and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers.”
The Ministerial meeting follows the Technical Experts Session, which took place from 24–25 November 2025 in Ethiopia. This preparatory process is essential in consolidating regional positions ahead of the global Commission on the Status of Women’s 70th Session.
The primary objective of the gathering is to adopt a consensual Common Africa Position (CAP). This unified stance will guide African Group negotiations on the CSW70 Agreed Conclusions, ensuring that strategies and actions reflect the continent’s priorities. The CAP will support member states in implementing concrete measures to guarantee women and girls’ access to justice through effective, inclusive, and gender-sensitive judicial systems.
During the meeting, African member states acknowledged the progress made across the continent in improving access to justice for women and girls, particularly in areas related to gender-based violence, health rights, and education justice. Delegates also highlighted the increasing availability of legal frameworks aimed at protecting women, while recognising that significant gaps still exist.
The session called for accelerated implementation of gender-responsive legislation, the repeal of discriminatory laws, and increased investment in strengthening justice institutions. Member states emphasised the importance of capacity-building within the judicial sector, expanding legal aid services, and enhancing public awareness to ensure that women and girls are able to fully exercise their rights.
Following the adoption of the 10th Report of the AU’s Specialised Technical Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla proceeded to pay a courtesy visit to His Excellency Moses Vilakati, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.
During the meeting, DPM Dladla and Commissioner Vilakati discussed strategic opportunities for collaboration, particularly those that could benefit Eswatini’s young people, with a special focus on empowering young women. Their discussion reflected the broader aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritises inclusive development, gender equality, and youth advancement.
The DPM’s participation underscores Eswatini’s commitment to contributing to continental efforts to dismantle structural barriers affecting women and girls, while championing policies that promote equitable access to justice. As Africa moves towards a unified position for CSW70, Eswatini continues to align itself with initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality and strengthening the rights of women and girls across all spheres of life.
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