BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
SIDVOKODVO- The Kingdom of Eswatini is stepping up national efforts to address the growing challenge of gender-based violence, as government and stakeholders call for stronger coordination and collective action to protect vulnerable groups. With cases continuing to rise, leaders have emphasized the need for urgent and sustained intervention across all sectors of society.
This call was made during the two-day National Gender-Based Violence Symposium/Indaba held on June 17–18, 2026 at the TLC Auditorium in Sidvokodvo, where government leaders, law enforcement officials, development partners, civil society organisations, and community representatives gathered to strengthen coordinated responses and improve national protection systems.
The symposium is focused on reinforcing prevention strategies, improving survivor support services, and enhancing institutional coordination to ensure a more effective and long-term response to gender-based violence.
Opening the engagement, Deputy Prime Minister Senator Thulisile Dladla called for collective responsibility across all sectors of society, emphasizing that ending gender-based violence requires courage, accountability, and sustained action.
She urged government institutions, traditional leaders, families, faith-based organisations, men, and young people to work together in protecting vulnerable groups and supporting survivors.
“Building safe communities requires more than condemnation of violence; it requires action. It requires courage to speak out, commitment to intervene, and determination to hold perpetrators accountable. It requires us to create environments where survivors are believed, supported, protected, and empowered to rebuild their lives,” she said.
A key highlight of the symposium was the presentation of national statistics by the National Commissioner of Police, Vusie Manoma Masango, who described the situation as a national emergency requiring urgent and united action.
A NATION CONFRONTED WITH STARK REALITIES
1 994 GBV CASES, 22 MURDERS, 481 SEXUAL ABUSE CASES RECORDED FROM JANUARY TO MAY IN ESWATINI
Among the murders, Hhohho recorded eight cases, followed by Manzini and Lubombo with five cases each, and Shiselweni with four cases.
He further highlighted rape cases involving women, children, elderly women, and young boys, noting that the figures likely represent only part of the reality due to underreporting and social stigma.
The Commissioner called for stronger unity, coordination, and shared responsibility across institutions and communities.
“Let us rise today not as separate institutions, but as one united nation determined to confront and eliminate Gender-Based Violence. Let us work towards building an Eswatini where every woman feels safe, every man embraces positive responsibility, and every child grows up in a conducive environment free from fear and violence,” he said.
The symposium continues with discussions focused on strengthening reporting systems, improving survivor care services, and reinforcing collaboration between law enforcement and community structures.
A unified national message has emerged: ending gender-based violence in Eswatini demands urgent, coordinated, and sustained action from all sectors of society. The engagement has strengthened commitment toward safer communities and stronger protection systems.
#EndGenderBasedViolence #REPS #EswatiniPositiveNews #SafeCommunities #CollectiveAction #GenderEquality
(Courtesy Pic)
