SENATOR Tony Sibandze says the nation needs to support survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), promote healthy relationships, and create a society where everyone feels safe and valued.
The Senator said everyone should join the fight against GBV.
He said this was a society that upholds God’s values and principles enshrined in the Bible.
He added that in Eswatini, the nation values the safety and dignity of all individuals. He said it was for this reason that they needed to work together to eliminate GBV and create a culture of respect and empathy by engaging communities, schools, and workplaces in conversations about GBV.
“Together, we can create a culture that rejects violence and promotes respect. As a Senator, I commit to advocating for policies and laws that protect victims of GBV,” he said.
Sibandze added that for those experiencing GBV, his advice would be to report it and know that there are resources and support systems available to help them through their recovery process.
“It is time for us to take collective responsibility and action against GBV. We need to educate, advocate, and support initiatives that prevent GBV and protect victims,” he said.
He added that prevention is key, so the nation needs to focus on promoting healthy relationships, respect, and consent to create a society where GBV becomes a thing of the past.
Senator Chief Prince Mphatfwa applauded the Swaziland National Association of Teachers and Mbabane Swallows Football Club for hosting the march to raise awareness on GBV. He said the message was also conveyed during the Mbabane Day event. He said men should stop abusing women and further urged parents to stop abusing their children.
As the Chairperson of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Senate Portfolio Committee, the prince said he was condemning any kind of violence, adding that children should not be abandoned by their parents.
He stated that relatives should also stop touching the girl child inappropriately. He said there were people who were abusing their immediate family members and reminded the nation that the SODV Act applies to everyone. He said any form of violence was unacceptable.
“If it were up to me, a person who has not abused anyone would receive a reward for being an example. As a chief, I would advise all traditional leaders to teach their people about violence,” he said.
