BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – One Billion Rising has called upon parliamentarians to expedite the passing of crucial pending bills, such as the Amendment of Marriage Bill, Matrimonial and Property Bill, and the Legal Aid Bill.
This was said by One Billion Rising Director Colane Hlatjwako yesterday (May 15, 2024) during a media briefing session, which took place at FLAS (Family Life Association of Swaziland) Building in Manzini. Hlatjwako viewed these bills as ones that would play a vital role in protecting vulnerable groups, such as women and children.
One Billion Rising is a global movement that is aimed at ending violence against all women and girls. In Eswatini, it is working under a fully registered organisation called Journey of Hope for Girls and Women in Eswatini, a feminist based organisation, which is focusing on giving hope to survivors of violence.
Hlatjwako expressed the urgency to address the alarming rise in gender-based violence (GBV), emphasising that the time for action is now. She urged the government to take immediate steps to protect women, mothers, and daughters from brutal killings. She also called upon Government to declare GBV as a national disaster.
She highlighted the need to tackle teenage pregnancy and voiced concerns over the forced eviction of widows, orphans, and marginalised groups from their lands, leading to land disputes that disproportionately affected women, children, and the elderly. She called upon local leaders to resolve conflicts peacefully and ensure equitable land access, emphasising the detrimental impact of land disputes on women’s ability to engage in agriculture and earn a livelihood.
According to Hlatjwako, the damaging effects of corruption and toxic cultural practices hindered women’s equal participation in decision-making processes. She also emphasised the need for collective efforts to create more opportunities for women and youth, particularly those disproportionately affected by poverty, to have an equal say in decision-making positions.
She underscored the importance of amplifying the voices of these marginalised groups and called for the defence and acceptance of the LGBTQI community’s rights. They stressed the need for embracing and respecting their existence, urging a revaluation of laws, policies, cultural norms, and religious beliefs to ensure that the human rights of LGBTQI individuals are protected and upheld.
Hlatjwako called for a collective effort to address the climate change crisis and end violence towards the earth. Recognising the alarming consequences of human actions, such as extreme weather events and natural disasters, she emphasised the need to protect the planet and its resources. Drawing a parallel between women and the earth as sources of life, Hlatjwako highlighted the shared experiences of nurturing, healing, and sheltering life while facing continuous violations.
She advocated for menstrual equity by addressing period poverty as a public health issue, urging Government to make affordable and sustainable menstrual products accessible. This includes removing VAT or taxes on sanitary pads and promoting menstrual education to challenge stigma and discrimination surrounding menstruation.
(Featured image sourced from One Billion Rising Facebook page)
