Statement of the Acting Resident Coordinator at the Launch of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign

Your Excellencies; Hon. Deputy Prime Minister,

Ambassador of the European Union,

Principal Secretary,

Esteemed Partners,

UN Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Brothers and Sisters,

A very good morning to you all.

It is an honour and with much humility, that I am here today at the Launch of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls. This year’s theme, ‘ORANGE THE WORLD: End Violence Against Women and Girls, Now!’ serves as a significant reminder to stand in solidarity with our sisters to end the heinous practice that is gender-based violence (GBV).

From today, until 10th December, we will work to imprint a powerful message across our nation, that a world free of gender-based violence is surely possible, if we stand together.

It is without a doubt that gender-based violence affects our brothers and sons too, yet we acknowledge that indeed, our sisters and daughters are exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of GBV.

Globally, one (1) in three (3) women experience gender-based violence in their lifetime. However, this figure does not include sexual harassment, which is estimated at an astounding 70 percent of women experiencing sexual harassment during their lifetime.

Extending from physical, to sexual and psychological abuse, to encompass intimate partner violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), and child marriage; GBV knows no boundaries.

Deeply rooted in gender inequalities, and harmful social norms; our fight against GBV remains long, complex and essential. The physical and psychological consequences of violence against women are devastating and far-reaching, resulting in life-long sexual and reproductive health consequences such as traumatic fistula, forced pregnancies, unwanted and unsafe abortions, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and oftentimes, death.

We cannot afford to remain silent about gender-based violence, nor should we question its survivors. Globally, it is estimated that an approximate 10 percent of victims who experience violence report incidents to the police. It is therefore imperative that we listen to and make every effort necessary to protect and empower our sisters, daughters, and mothers from the deep impacts of GBV.

However, particular groups of women and girls are exceptionally vulnerable to gender-based violence including, young girls and older women; women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex; migrants and refugees; indigenous women and ethnic minorities; as well as women living with HIV or disabilities.

It is during times of conflict and humanitarian disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, that our women and girls are particularly susceptible to GBV. Global lockdown measures and the closure of schools have dramatically increased the exposure of girls and women to violence, with calls to hot and helplines in some countries increasing five-fold, to primarily report cases of intimate partner violence, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the words of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres; “Violence against women and girls is a global human rights challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed this issue as a global emergency requiring urgent action at all levels, in all spaces and by all people. The social and economic fallout from the pandemic is disproportionately pushing women and girls into poverty, and the risk of violence against them is rising.”

In the Kingdom of Eswatini, 1 in 3 Swazi girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18, whilst 87 of every 1,000 teenage girls fall pregnant. Our sisters living in poverty in the rural areas are more vulnerable to early teenage pregnancy, with 127 out of 1,000 girls giving birth before the age of 18, as opposed to 41 per 1,000 girls in urban areas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 381 of our girls fell pregnant, and are unlikely to return to school. Early teenage pregnancy is the driving cause of girl teens dropping out of school and brings with it risks of birth complications and at times, death. We cannot afford to lose a single girl to early pregnancy.

An ambitious and renewed commitment to protect and empower our women and girls in the fight to end violence is needed more than ever before. Through our dedication to achieve Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, and in turn, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025; the United Nations is committed to enabling a “just, prosperous and resilient Eswatini where nobody is left behind,” including our women and girls.

The development and implementation of effective programmes, policies and strategies to protect women’s rights are imperative: however, we cannot do it alone.

The impact of strong and effective partnerships, exemplified by that of the United Nations and European Union, through the global Spotlight Initiative, has borne incredible change, with partner countries seeing a 22 percent increase in prosecution of perpetrators of violence. More than 650,000 women and girls were granted access to GBV services throughout the pandemic, whilst 84 laws and policies were passed or strengthened.

On behalf of the United Nations Family in Eswatini, I would like to acknowledge and extend my sincere gratitude to Her Excellency, the Ambassador of the European Union, as well as her incredible team, for joining the fight to end violence against women and girls in Eswatini. Your partnership and contribution to this year’s Campaign, and all those prior, bring a great sense of hope that indeed, change is possible.

This same sense of gratitude is extended to the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, whose unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable EmaSwati, particularly girls, women and our sisters living with disabilities, is quite remarkable.

Our partners and civil society continue to make a significant difference in the lives of our EmaSwati women and girls; the same partners who fought desperately hard to enact the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018. Your efforts are truly momentous, and I encourage you to continue with bravery and resilience, that which you have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing civil unrest.

I am also delighted to have with us today passionate men and boys who are dedicated to end GBV in Eswatini, and in turn, are leading generations-to-come to a fairer, stronger and better Kingdom of Eswatini.

Might we renew our commitment to stand in solidarity with one another, and indeed, ‘Orange the World’ together, in our battle to end violence against women and girls, now! In the great words of Helen Keller: “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

Thank you.