One Billion Rising stands in solidarity with the people of Eswatini in their call for Eswatini Leaders/ Government to engage in dialogue and not to deprive people their rights to freedom of expression.

Shared from Eswatini activists:
“There have been ongoing unrest and protests happening in Eswatini following the government barring the people of Eswatini the right to freedom of expression and unleash the police/military to intimidate and torture civilians. Eswatini is a land locked country in Southern Africa which is ruled by King Mswati 111 an absolute monarchy.

We call for the King of Eswatini and the Government to stop police/military brutality against the fellow Emaswati but rather engage in dialogue with the people of Eswatini. The foundation of democracy as the country claim to be a democratic society include freedom of assembly and speech, inclusiveness and equality, membership, consent, voting, right to life and minority rights. It was however, received with shock from the statement by the Acting Prime Minister (His Excellency Themba Masuku) stopping the delivery of petitions across the country of Eswatini. We noted that the petitions included calling government to declare Gender Based Violence as a National Emergency, addressing issues of youth unemployment, quality education system and call for multiparty democracy, just to name a few.

We are noting with concern that the delay to respond to the people of Eswatini’s grievances might hit hard to the minority groups, which include, women, children, the poor and those living with disabilities. In every conflict women, children and other minority groups are always the ones hit hard.

We are also concerned about the increase of cases of violence against women (cisgender, transgender, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender-based violence) in Eswatini. According to the world population review report, Eswatini is ranked 4th when it comes to reported rape incidents globally, also statistics show that In Eswatini, it is expected that one in three Swazi girls will experience some form of sexual violence by the time they are 18 years old, while almost half of Swazi women will experience some form of sexual violence over their lifetime. We have noted with concern that even though the country has enacted the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018, there are still cases where the perpetrators are walking free without the law taking its course. We call for the Police National Commissioner and The Director of Public Prosecution to ensure that the law is implemented accordingly.”

#RisingInSolidarity
#RisingForPeace
#RisingForJustice
#RisingForDemocracy

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