… As it commemorates 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
This was the theme which was promoted in commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV by the Pigg’s Peak Town Council yesterday.
Speaking during the commemoration, Deputy Mayor in the Pigg’s Peak Municipality Thembi Ngcamphalala noted that empowering women is essentially empowering the whole nation. She also urged men to participate in ensuring that women are empowered.
“If women would be very well protected, encouraged, and empowered in the Pigg’s Peak Municipality, they would play a big part in developing the town and the country at large. This is why we urge men to take a keen interest in issues of ensuring the protection and respect of women’s dignity,” said Ngcamphalala.
One Billion Rising Director in Eswatini, Colani Hlatjwako, echoed the Deputy Mayor’s sentiments. She added that the protection of women required that each individual should take responsibility for their actions.
“A true activist is one who changes their own actions in life before changing others,” said Hlatjwako.
She also urged men to report abuse that happens to them, because suppressing it often eventually leads to violent reactions against women.
The commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in the Pigg’s Peak Municipality was supported by One Billion Rising and the Men Engage Network, which is chaired by the Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA).
According to the United Nations (UN) Women organisation, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme is ‘UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls’. It invites everyone to play their role in ending violence against women and girls, show support and solidarity to women’s rights activists and to resist the rollback on women’s rights.
