Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: Eswatini women to dialogue on the future they want

03 December 2019

A Women's Empowerment Forum will be held at the Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre on Thursday, 5 December 2019, from 08:00AM to 03:30PM.

Mbabane (3 December 2019) - The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, with support from the United Nations Development System in Eswatini, is organizing a National Women Empowerment Forum as part of the UN75 global dialogues aimed at amplifying the voices of different groups and ensuring that no one is left behind in shaping the future of the world.

UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres launched the UN75 global dialogues to tackle issues affecting the world such as the climate crisis, inequality, new patterns of violence, population changes and technology in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In Eswatini, the first dialogue will be held at the Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre on Thursday, 5 December 2019, from 08:00a.m. to 03:30p.m. will bring women from different sectors across the country to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic empowerment, gender-based violence, technology, education, climate change, political representation and power.

Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Themba Masuku is expected to deliver a keynote address the forum which will seek to reach out to a representation of women from vast backgrounds and experiences, particularly those most in need/marginalised from rural, informal settlements, urban and civil society organisations.

The forum, themed “the strength within,” will also seek to establish bottlenecks towards access to opportunities for women and girls.

It will discuss and propose an ideal future for Eswatini in 25 years when the UN turns 100 years.

The women will then propose the actions that need to be taken to make a better Eswatini for future generations, focusing on what they can do as individuals, groups, institutions, communities and governments.

Entrance is free and there will be exhibition stalls to display, promote and sell products and wares made by Eswatini women.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Antoinette Phiwa Manana, Programme Analyst Gender, UNFPA

Tel: 2409 6627 Cell: 7802 6943