Women in Swaziland still face horrendous ill-treatment and inequality due to the fact that a patriarchal culture is still practiced and promoted by the King and Government. Sadly society still view women as subordinate to men. As a result gender based violence is common in Swaziland, women including young girls are raped beaten and constantly harassed on a daily basis.

Even though rape is illegal and punishable, acquittal rates prove to be high and surprisingly offenders are even given lighter jail sentences. With high rates of HIV / AIDS we cannot afford to ignore such behaviour.

As a patriotic Swazi Human rights activist and feminist, I call upon the Swazi government as well as King Mswati III to put an end to the abuse of young girls and women. The authorities cannot continue to turn a blind eye on the abuses and injustices faced by both women and young girls.

We also ask the international community to put pressure on King Mswati and the Swazi Government so as they stop these abuses and protect its citizens, they should adhere to the United Nations Agreement on Human rights.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2015/0...

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/03/...

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chap...