Statement of the UN Resident Coordinator at the UN75 Dialogue with Business Women Eswatini

CEO of Business Eswatini,

Chairperson of the Board, Business Women Eswatini,

Business leaders,

Wonderful and successful ladies in this room and online

Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by paying a hearty good morning to all of you women business leaders, captains of industry, and aspiring women entrepreneurs, including those joining us online.

It is with great pleasure that I address you today on behalf of the UN Development System in Eswatini, ahead of this UN75 dialogue in which  your views, concerns, ideas and recommendations are needed to shape a better future for the world – and especially for the next generation.

The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of unprecedented disruption in the world, compounded by a global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts. The big question before us is: will we emerge from the crisis stronger and better equipped to work together and continue to achieve Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development? Will we be able to build back and recover better?

The UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres has declared 2020 as the year of dialogue to share our priorities as a human family and for a better future for all. It is vital that your voice is heard at this crucial time for the world.

Your views will be presented to world leaders and senior UN officials at the official commemoration of the 75th Anniversary by the UN General Assembly in September 2020 in which Eswatini has been elected Vice-President. This is indeed an exceptional time  for the Kingdom of Eswatini to be part of the global leadership that will be steering the ship at such a crucial time of our human history.

The UN family in Eswatini is proud to have been a trusted partner of the Government and the people of Eswatini for more than 50 years now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare severe and systemic inequalities. As the UN, we are particularly concerned about the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable populations, including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, PLHIV and those on low-income and migrant populations.

In this regard, our support to the Government, partners and people of Eswatini focusses on:

• Delivery of a coordinated and comprehensive health response guided by WHO.
• Adoption of policies that address the devastating socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights aspects of the crisis.
• A recovery process that builds back better, leading to more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are stronger and more resilient.

The world will get through this crisis, but only if we act together. Coming out of this crisis will require a whole-of-society, whole-of-government and whole-of-the-world approach driven by national unity and international solidarity. We need to work together to support individuals, communities and the Eswatini economy to react and recover better.

We observe with concern that while the COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone, everywhere, it does not affect everyone equally.  For example, the crisis is having a substantial impact on women.

Women play a disproportionate role in responding to the virus, including as frontline healthcare workers and care-takers at home. Women disproportionately work in insecure labour markets - nearly 60% of women work in the informal economy - and are at greater risk of falling into poverty.

To reduce the impact on women, measures to protect and stimulate the economy must target women.  The UN remains dedicated to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality.  We want women in Eswatini, who represent 51% of the population, to fearlessly follow their dreams and embrace their ambitions. As women, we are no longer invisible, we matter: so I encourage you to teach your daughter that she is seen and heard; she holds the same rights as any other person whether male or female and shall bring positive transformation to Eswatini.

In my almost two years in Eswatini, I have seen women in the Kingdom who are a force – as leaders, community builders, and mothers. I salute all of you in this room for starting and running businesses that support Eswatinieconomy, and most importantly, provide livelihoods for many families in the country.

For development to be sustainable on the continent, we need African solutions to African problems or local solutions to local problems, such as the solutions the women in this room have come up with to keep your businesses afloat during the pandemic, and to support your families and communities. It is time for coordinated global, regional and national efforts to build better and more resilient industries, economies and societies, that are inclusive of all – especially women, girls, PLWD and others - and that provide opportunities for everyone to thrive, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

I acknowledge the many development initiatives by the private sector and female business owners in Eswatini in key areas such as quality education, water and sanitation, renewable energy as well as in facilitating a low carbon economy, for example:

SDG 1: No Poverty  & SDG 2: Zero Hunger

– through your establishment of businesses that support agriculture at the local level

SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing

– through encouraging and promotion of women participation in commercial agriculture that produces quality produce

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

– promotion of female business owners and businesses that promote and actively provide opportunities for female workers

SDG 17:  Partnership for SDGs

– working closely with local and regional institutions to achieve a healthy business sector in Eswatini

In the UN and many other places, wesee a world where the private sector, and especially women-led business communities, is a transformative partner in the elimination of poverty and inequality, in the establishment of resilient and equitable social protection schemes for all, and in ensuring sustainable business practices that provide decent work and dignity for all, thereby leading to the achievement of the SDGs. The UN in Eswatini is ready and willing to partner with the private sector to accelerate the achievement of SDGs. With smart and timely action at all levels, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as our guide or compass, we can emerge from this crisis stronger, with better businesses, better jobs and a brighter, more equal and greener future for all in Eswatini.

I thank you.