THE RISING HAS BEGUN!
Today, One Billion Rising Eswatini, together with partners, officially launched One Billion Rising 2026 and kicked off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a bold Street & Factory Campaign at Union Market, Matsapha — taking the message of justice, safety, and dignity directly to the people!
The One Billion Rising 2026 theme: “RISING FOR OUR BODIES, OUR EARTH, OUR FUTURE”. This theme speaks to our collective power and responsibility.
At Matsapha, we danced, spoke, listened, and shared stories of strength with factory workers. We raised awareness about GBV and stood in solidarity with survivors whose voices continue to fuel this movement.
“We continue to rise with the hope that one day our cries will be heard, that justice will reach every survivor of violence, and that we will witness a world where violence is unimaginable, a world where it simply does not exist.
During our #1BillionRising street and factory campaign, with partners we stood together at Union Market in Matsapha, raising our voices for change, equality, and freedom for factory workers.
Together, we rise!”
DAY 2:
Today’s street and factory campaign at Giant Factory in Matsapha was a resounding success. We danced in recognition of the strength of women; their resilience, their courage, and their unwavering spirit in the face of patriarchy and suppression.
Yet, amid the celebration, we were confronted with a painful truth: many women still do not know where to report abuse. This reality is deeply disturbing and serves as a reminder that our work is far from over.
We have made progress, but we still have a long way to go. Together, we must continue raising awareness, empowering women, and building pathways to safety and justice.
