BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE– As the Kingdom of Eswatini continues to experience a troubling increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases, with reports of domestic abuse, sexual violence and killings dominating headlines over the past few weeks, One Billion Rising Eswatini has called upon all emaSwati to unite in confronting the scourge and building safer communities.
The call was made by Colani Hlatshwayo, the Africa Regional Coordinator for One Billion Rising, who said ending violence requires a collective commitment from families, communities, men, institutions and leaders.
Speaking on Kusile Breakfast on July 8, 2026, Hlatshwayo said the continued reports of abuse highlight the need for society to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable people and creating environments where everyone feels safe.
She said the current situation should encourage emaSwati to work together in finding lasting solutions to GBV through prevention, awareness, support systems and accountability.
“These numbers and the cases we continue to witness in Eswatini are deeply concerning. As a nation, it places us in a position where we must ask ourselves what more we can do to strengthen our programmes and ensure we are effectively fighting this scourge,” Hlatshwayo said.
The GBV advocate said one of the major challenges in addressing violence is that many cases happen within homes, involving people who are known and trusted by victims.
She said this makes it important for communities to strengthen protection networks and ensure that victims are supported when they seek help.
“This violence is mostly perpetrated by people who live together with the victims, meaning it largely happens within homes. We are talking about people who are supposed to protect them, but instead become the source of harm,” she said.
Hlatshwayo noted that GBV affects not only survivors but also families, children and communities that are left to deal with the emotional and social consequences of abuse.
She called for stronger mechanisms to ensure that victims who report abuse receive the necessary protection and support.
“Some victims are dying at the hands of their abusers after having actively run to the law saying, ‘I am being abused.’ As a nation, we must ask whether we have mechanisms to ensure that those who are being abused are fully protected,” she said.
She acknowledged that the justice system must continue following due legal processes, including respecting the principle that accused persons are innocent until proven guilty, while ensuring that community safety remains a priority.
Hlatshwayo said addressing GBV also requires society to confront attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to continue.
She identified patriarchy as one of the challenges that must be addressed through education, awareness and open conversations within communities.
“When we speak about abuse, we need to understand that we are dealing with a system that benefits from oppression and violence. The system we are talking about is what we call patriarchy,” she said.
She urged men to take an active role in ending GBV by becoming champions of respect and positive change within their homes and communities.
“We need men to come forward with solutions. We need upright men who will not tolerate abuse,” Hlatshwayo said.
She said men who reject violence and promote respect can help transform communities and inspire others to contribute towards ending GBV.
“We celebrate men who do not support abuse because there are decent men out there. We need these teachings to reach men so they can understand what we mean when we talk about patriarchy and abuse,” she said.
Hlatshwayo further emphasised the importance of educating young people about equality, dignity and human rights, saying building safer communities begins with shaping positive values from an early age.
“We must instil these teachings in both our boys and girls so that ultimately we can live in a society where people coexist peacefully, understanding that everyone has rights,” she said.
The One Billion Rising campaign, a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and children, continues to mobilise communities through advocacy, awareness and action.
Eswatini can make meaningful progress in fighting GBV when all emaSwati unite behind a shared commitment to protecting lives, promoting dignity and creating safer communities.
#OneBillionRisingEswatini #EndGBV #EmaSwatiUnited #StopGenderBasedViolence #SafeCommunities #BreakTheSilence #BuildingSaferCommunities
(Courtesy Pic)
