BY THEMBA ZWANE
EZULWINI – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu wants Eswatini to be among the first 15 African countries to ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, describing the move as critical to accelerating the treaty’s entry into force across the continent.
Senator Shakantu made the call while delivering her remarks during a three-day National Consultations on the Ratification of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls at SibaneSami Hotel.
She said ratifying the convention would demonstrate Eswatini’s commitment to protecting women and girls and reaffirm the country’s dedication to upholding their rights, dignity and safety.
“I do believe that it is important for us to be amongst the first 15 countries to ratify this Convention to enable its urgent entry into force,” she said, referring to the convention’s provisions governing its implementation.
The minister said the consultations were taking place at a time when reports of violence against women and girls continued to dominate newspaper headlines, with many families left grieving the loss of daughters, sisters, wives and mothers.
“These are no longer isolated incidents. These cases are a painful reminder that we still have much work to do to ensure that every woman and girl in Eswatini can live free from fear,” she said.
Shakantu thanked the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its development partners for convening the consultations, saying the convention represented far more than a legal instrument.
“It is a commitment to the women and girls of Eswatini that their lives matter, their voices matter, and their safety is a national priority,” she said.
According to the minister, ratification would place Eswatini alongside other African nations in declaring that violence against women and girls has no place in homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship or communities.
She said the convention also aligned with Eswatini’s national development agenda, including Vision 2030, the Constitution and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the commitment to leave no one behind.
Shakantu said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation viewed the convention as an important milestone in strengthening Eswatini’s human rights commitments and enhancing the country’s standing within the African Union and the wider international community.
She pledged that the ministry would continue working closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the African Union, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and communities to ensure the convention is effectively implemented once ratified.
Drawing from her experience in diplomacy, the minister said women continued to make significant contributions to international cooperation, peacebuilding and economic development across Africa.
She said Eswatini should continue creating opportunities that enable women and girls to lead, influence decision-making and realise their full potential.
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