Mbabane – Thousands of gender-based violence (GBV) cases continue to be recorded annually in Eswatini, with stakeholders warning that most incidents take place within homes involving intimate partners.
This comes as the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), hosts a high-level mission on the ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG).
The workshop, facilitated through the Department of Gender and Family Issues, brings together government institutions and other stakeholders to discuss ways of improving the national response to violence against women and girls.
Statistics presented during the engagement show that violence remains a widespread challenge, with one in four females and one in three males aged between 13 and 24 having experienced violence during their lifetime.
The stakeholders are reviewing existing response systems, including regional one-stop centres, child-friendly courts, specialised shelters and toll-free helplines.
The discussions are also focused on improving coordination among institutions responsible for handling GBV cases.
The workshop further examines whether current laws and policies provide adequate protection and support for survivors.
These include the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, the Child Protection and Welfare Act, the Cyber Security and Crimes Act and the National Strategy on Ending Violence.
The high-level mission is expected to conclude on Thursday after stakeholders complete deliberations on Eswatini’s position regarding the AU-CEVAWG convention.
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