29/11/2024
16 DAYS OF ACTION AGAINST ABUSE: HAS ESWATINI BECOME A NATION OF VILE ABUSERS, SADISTS?
....Govt should Declare GBV a National Emergency, already as SWAGAA statistics reveal a scary picture.
By Musa Ndlangamandla
As you read this, a person has died in the last seven days in the hands of an intimate partner in the tiny kingdom of Eswatini. Yes go ahead. Let that sink in. Only one person, what is the fuss?, you wonder to yourself. Besides the fact that any life lost in any manner, is one life too many, Eswatini has a population of just over 1,2 million people. In this small country, children are being sexually violated with impunity, with children under 18 accounting for 44 per cent of reported cases, since January 2024.
“The horrors we witness —like a three-year-old being consistently sexually violated by her own father, an 11-year-old child pregnant due to sexual violence—should shock our conscience and fuel our determination to make a change,” said Nonhlanhla Dlamini, the Executive Director of SWAGAA, the leading voice for the abused and down trodden, in Eswatini.
SWAGAA stands for Swatini Action Group Against Abuse, and for 34 years, it has been at the forefront of bringing issues of abuse and assisting survivors, in the country where the majority of people live below the poverty line.
Indeed, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that 59 per cent of the population lives below the national poverty line, and 29% live in extreme poverty. The World Bank projects that poverty will decline slightly from 54% in 2022 to 51.9% in 2024.
SWAGAA, like many other civil society organisations, is doing a wonderful job in supporting emaSwati fight poverty, violence and sustain their lives. However, as with many such organisations in the developing world, SWAGAA faces stark challenges when it comes to financial resources to carry out its work.
And, when Nonhlanhla was telling the story of the crisis of violence facing the country, she was addressing a room full of journalists, to unveil a novel, if iconic campaign called PHOSA NAWE: Be Part of the Change. End GBV campaign. The campaign, which coincides with the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against GBV 2024, aims to raise over E1 million to support survivors, sustain the SWAGAA programmes and strengthen the fight against GBV.
The funds will help expand critical services such as counselling, shelters, access to justice, and public education programmes. Let us place a thumb on , for now and return to it later, whilst we continue to unpack the grim statistics of violence that plagues our country like scenes from the Biblical Gomora and S***m.
Eswatini’s escalating GBV crisis is a harrowing indictment of a society in moral and social decay. From January to October 2024, SWAGAA recorded 1,820 face-to-face cases and 2,044 cases on its toll-free line. Even these numbers, staggering as they are, represent only the tip of the iceberg, as countless cases go unreported. Mind you, these are statistics sourced only from SWAGAA, and not the other platforms such as the police service, medical institutions and human rights entities. We are a country that is truly in trouble.
Most shockingly, as Nonhlanhla states, 35 lives have been lost to intimate partner violence this year alone—an average of one death per week.
The victims and survivors are overwhelmingly women and children, with children under 18 accounting for 44% of reported cases, Nohlanhla told the gathering of journalists. Among these, 8% are under five years old, 15% are between six and 11 years old, and 21% are aged 12 to 17.
These figures are more than just statistics—they represent shattered lives and broken families.
The atmosphere at the Hilton Garden Inn, where the press conference was held on Wednesday 27th November 2024, was heavy with emotion as SWAGAA shared the staggering realities of GBV in Eswatini.
LLLLLJournalists, many visibly moved, sat quietly as stories of unimaginable pain were recounted. There was a palpable sadness, yet it was matched by a sense of solidarity and resolve. The weight of the statistics was undeniable, but so was the collective determination in the room to confront and defeat the scourge that has tormented the nation for decades.
Nonhlanhla, fought to steady her voice as she addressed the audience. Her tone, at times faltering with suppressed emotion, reflected the toll of working on the frontlines of GBV.
She shared horrifying stories of abuse, including a three-year-old girl repeatedly violated by her father and an 11-year-old forced into motherhood by sexual violence.
Verbal and emotional abuse is the most reported form of GBV, constituting 48% of cases. This is followed by other abuses such as psychosocial distress and neglect (15%), sexual violence (14%), physical abuse (9%), and financial abuse (3%). The Manzini region, the country’s commercial hub, accounts for a staggering 64% of these cases, further highlighting the pervasiveness of the issue.
This crisis is not confined to certain demographics—it affects all levels of society, but low-income communities bear the brunt, struggling to cope with the compounded effects of poverty, unemployment, and post-COVID economic challenges.
“As we mark this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we are reminded that the fight against GBV is not just a campaign—it is a call to action. It should not be confined to the 16 days of Activism, but should be throughout the year, 365 days as GBV is experienced throughout the year,” Nonhlanhla said.
The Call for Action: A National Emergency Declaration
The severity of the GBV crisis in Eswatini demands an urgent and unified response, and SWAGAA Chairperson Rev. Senzo Hlatshwayo has issued a desperate plea for the government to declare GBV a national emergency, a step the organisation has been advocating for years, but to no avail.
This publication knows that administration after administration has taken steps to address GBV, both in words and actions, yet they have all fallen short of the bold and necessary move to declare this crisis a national disaster.
We agree with the sentiments shared by Rev. Hlatshwayo and many other observers that such a declaration would not require the government to allocate additional funds immediately. Instead, it would unlock a wave of resources, financial, technical, and otherwise, from both national and international platforms, significantly enhancing the country’s capacity to combat GBV.
Eswatini has vast experience regarding the turning around impact of making such declarations. When, in February 1999, King Mswati declared HIV and AIDS to be ‘Indzaba Yetfu Sonkhe – Everyone’s Concern – and instructed his ministers, chiefs and all public figures to lead the charge and not end a speech without addressing the issue and solutions, the tide started to turn for the country.
Today, following that declaration Eswatini is a beacon of hope, and has achieved major milestones in the fight to end HIV. If a similar route could be taken regarding GBV, the impact would be untold and many lives would be saved.
Beyond resources, Rev. Hlatshwayo stressed that declaring GBV a national emergency would cement the issue in national discourse, fostering widespread awareness and driving essential behavioural change.
“This declaration would dismantle the harmful stereotypes and archaic norms that perpetuate violence. It would rally every citizen, every organisation, and every leader to take responsibility and play their part,” he said.
Indeed, the time for silence and complacency is over. Declaring GBV a national emergency is the first step toward mobilising the resources and societal will needed to combat this epidemic. Failure to act now will mean more lives lost, more futures stolen, and an even deeper erosion of Eswatini’s humanity.
SWAGAA’s PHOSA NAWE: Be Part of the Change.
End GBV campaign embodies this call for collective action, urging every liSwati to contribute to ending the scourge.
“Real action goes beyond words,” emphasised Hlatshwayo. “It means standing with survivors, challenging harmful attitudes, and supporting initiatives that deliver real change.”
A Society at a Crossroads
The heartbreaking reality of Eswatini’s GBV statistics is compounded by the fact that many survivors lack access to critical support services. Social workers, often the first point of contact for victims, are overwhelmed, working tirelessly in a system with limited resources. Meanwhile, harmful societal norms perpetuate cycles of abuse, leaving women and girls vulnerable.
Eswatini must decide: Will it remain a nation complicit in fostering abuse, or will it rise to become a beacon of justice and support for its most vulnerable? The answer lies in swift, decisive action. GBV must be eradicated, and the time to act is now.
Join the Movement
The PHOSA NAWE campaign calls on everyone—individuals, organisations, and businesses—to take part. As Rev Hlatshwayo passionately stated, “Ending GBV requires all of us. Let’s turn awareness into impact. Together, we can make Eswatini a safer place for all.”
The campaign provides multiple ways to contribute, including cash, in-kind donations, professional services, and even livestock.
SWAGAA encourages donations in cash, in-kind, or through professional services. Contributions can be made via:
• Standard Bank (9110003898183);
• MoMo (191000);
• Swaziland Building Society (52001179391);
• INSTACASH (951000);
• e-Mali (746450);
• Eswatini Bank (77402403031);
• Nedbank (11990459152); and
• FNB 62613472042;
Corporate sponsors are encouraged to participate in tiered sponsorships:
• Bronze: E5,000,
• Silver: E10,000,
• Gold: E20,000,
• Diamond: E50,000,
• Platinum: E100,000.
A Call for Collective Action
Nonhlanhla highlighted the need for nationwide solidarity through .
“This campaign is not just about raising funds. It is about galvanising action. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps prevent further loss of life and provides critical support to survivors. Together, we can close the funding gap and build a future free from violence,” she said.
“Companies that will donate over E100,000 will be allowed to display their banners at the official launch of the campaign and further have their logo on the programme. Individuals who have made a donation will have the opportunity to attend the event. There is limited space so it will be on a first come first served basis. So, if you are kin on attending the launch of Phosa Nawe you can Phosa Nawe and call the office to book your seat.”
“You can contribute whatever that you have it can be a chicken, goat or cow. PHOSA NAWE – Be Part of the Change. End GBV.”
The campaign’s official launch will take place on December 4, 2024, at The George Hotel in Manzini, with Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla as the guest of honour.
