BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Prompt prevention and response to GBV cases!
This is the level of attention that Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) Executive Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini wishes the country to give gender-based violence, stating that it should be declared a national emergency like it was with HIV/AIDS and recently with COVID-19.
Dlamini expressed her opinion in an interview with this journalist, when seeking comment on UNAIDS’ quest to also declare gender-based violence a National Emergency.
UNAIDS is the acronym for United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
Dlamini said if gender-based violence would be declared a National Emergency, government and the private sector would quickly establish prevention and responsive measures like it was done with COVID-19.
“When COVID-19 struck, everyone came to the party and contributed all they could to fight the virus. This should apply to GBV. The scary part is cases of the rape of minors is shooting up and it seems nothing is being done about it.
“The justice system should also come to the party and quickly try rape cases like it is done with drunken driving,” said Dlamini.
She emphasised saying quick response to GBV cases should be given.
Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) is a non-governmental organisation that has been working for over 30 years to end gender-based violence (GBV), sexual abuse and human trafficking in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).
As the lead organisation framing the agenda on GBV, SWAGAA partners with key stakeholders to provide technical expertise on best practices in GBV prevention and response.
