Ezulwini – Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls, describing it as not only a violation of fundamental human rights but also a barrier to sustainable development, social cohesion and economic prosperity.
She made the remarks during the High Level Sensitization Workshop for Parliamentarians and Decision Makers on the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, held at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini.
“Today’s engagement is not merely an information sharing exercise but a significant milestone in our national process towards the ratification of the Convention, adopted during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025 in Addis Ababa,” said the Acting Prime Minister. 
She explained that the Convention provides a comprehensive continental framework that complements Eswatini’s constitutional provisions, national legislation and programmes aimed at preventing and responding to gender based violence. Ratification, she noted, will build upon progress already made while strengthening legal, institutional and policy responses.
The Acting Prime Minister pointed to several initiatives already in place, including the GBV coordination mechanism, the National Strategy on Ending Violence (2023 to 2027) and the Acceleration Plan, alongside strengthened partnerships with civil society, development partners and traditional leadership. Survivor centered services and prevention programmes have also been expanded.
Minister Pholile Shakantu spoke to the urgency of ratification.
“By ratifying this Convention, Eswatini will be joining the rest of Africa in saying that violence against women and girls has no place in our homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship, or communities. Every woman deserves to live with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity. It is important for us to be among the first 15 countries to ratify this Convention to enable its urgent entry into force, per Article 17,” the Minister said.
UNFPA Eswatini’s Thamary Silindza said the meeting was timely to avert the increasing number of GBV cases and incidences in the country. She noted that Parliament has the power to ratify the Convention, which aims to end violence.
