MANZINI: Zakithi Sibandze, the Coordinator of the Swaziland Rural Women Assembly (SRWA) says Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)Themba Masuku rejected their petition calling for the declaring of Gender Based Violence(GBV) aa a national disaster.
Speaking during a campaign against Gender Based Violence organized by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) on Wednesday, the Rural Women Assembly Coordinator said the DPM ignored an issue of national importance and decided to insult them saying they were illiterate.
“When we petitioned the DPM, he decided to rush to the daily newspapers saying we are illiterate and we can't write petitions, while ignoring the bigger picture calling for the declaration of GBV as a national disaster,” said the Coordinator.
Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments, Sibongile Mazibuko, the Chairperson of the Political Parties Assembly (PPA) said this was exactly King Mswati’s attitude towards women.
"This is the same attitude demonstrated by the King who is abusing his wives.Women are treated as subordinates all the time in this country, they are not even in decision making positions. This is not a surprise to us, that is why we are emphasizing on women taking their position in leadership", said the PPA Chairperson.
Rural Women Assembly Coordinator Zakithi Sibandze.