Celebrating International Women’s Day- Women Unlimited Eswatini Takes a Stand Against Gender Based Violence

In commemoration of the International Women's Day, Women Unlimited Eswatini took a step towards advocacy to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and empowering women at the Marula Festival held at Hlane.The Marula season usually begins each year in mid February, bringing with it a celebration of the harvest of the Marula fruit. The Kingdom of Eswatini celebrates the start of the Marula season with the annual Buganu festival. The festival is increasing in popularity, and swiftly becoming one of the country’s most exciting traditional ceremonies where both the King and Queen mother are present with their leadership and large number of women and girls from diverse communities across the country.Amidst the vibrant festivities of the Marula Festival, Women Unlimited Eswatini (WUE) was working to protect the rights of women and the young people ,with emphasis on building family foundations to end VAWG. Therefore, this event provided a platform for engaging with a diverse audience of women and girls on pressing issues such as rape, sexual harassment and linkages between gender based violence and alcohol abuse. Women Unlimited shed light on the various forms of violence that women endure and shared available mechanisms for prevention and support,sparking crucial conversations  aimed at challenging harmful norms and promoting gender equality.WUE in partnership with Bantwana Initiative in Eswatini ,is implementing a Sexual Harassment Prevention Innovation Project in Higher Education Institutions. The initiative is supported by the UK Aid through the What Works 2 Programme to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls . As part of Women Unlimited's wider national advocacy efforts under this project, to draw attention to the pandemic problem of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and sexual harassment in the kingdom, the organisation participated in the Marula festival. The crisis of sexual harassment has strong linkages with the home setting and how young people are socialized. Cultural gatherings play a pivotal role in influencing norms and values of a nation  and therefore addressing VAWG.