BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Two days into the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV), local advocacy organisations have already set the tone for the next 14 days.
This year under the theme ‘Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls ‘ 16 days of activism is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25 and runs until December 10 .The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.
From calling for GBV to be a state of emergency in the country, in various interviews local advocacy organisations have mentioned that action plans are already under way in an effort to end the GBV scourge.
First to come to the party was One Billion Rising, through their mouth piece Colani Hlatjwako the Africa Regional Coordinator of the One Billion Rising Campaign they mentioned that they were looking forward to fight GBV.
“Plans and meetings are already underway with relevant stakeholders because we want to make sure that we pick up the pace in trying to make GBV a state emergency,” she said during a lengthy interview at Eswatini Broadcasting Services (EBIS).
Joining in on the robust GBV movement is the Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) the organisation through their Communications Officer Sakhile Dlamini, said the 16 days should be commemorated every year.
“It all starts with us- note how every year we have a different theme but the goal is to eradicate GBV against all genders and make sure we are in a violent free country,” she said.
Worth noting is that corporates in the country usually take part in the 16 Days of Activism where they run campaigns for their employees. One major stakeholder in fighting abuse is Standard Bank.
