MANZINI: One Billion Rising has awarded Sifiso Vilakati, the Gender Officer of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) for fighting Gender Based Violence(GBV) within the trade unions.
This was during the ten(10)years convention held on Saturday 11th February 2023 at the Mavuso Trade Centre.
According to One Billion Rising Africa Regional Coordinator Colani Hlatjwako there is so
much to celebrate in these last 10 years,so many victories, so many success stories and so much change.
She said this include the legislation,culture, art,education and the ways of thinking.
Hlatswako said a new generation of activists were continuing with the legacies of women activists who devoted their lives to the movement.
“In celebrating these victories, there are 10 women who have been selected amongst many women who are celebrated for their immense contribution
in advocating for women’s rights and calling an end to violence against all women in the past ten year or more in Eswatini,” said Colani Hlatjwako.
SNAT Gender Officer in her remarks thanked God,SNAT and One Billion Rising campaign for this award.
“We will continue advocating against Gender Based Violence in schools in the country. I urge all swazis to unite and work together in eradicating Violence in the country. We call upon the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and Parliament to declare GBV as a national disaster,"said the SNAT Gender Officer.
These women are: Nonhlanhla SWAGAA Director,PS Ministry of Tinkhundla(former Gender Unit Director),Doo Aphane, Lomcebo Dlamini,Judge Maxine Langwenya, MP Lorraine Nxumalo,Ntombi Langwenya(volunteer),Make Bella Khatamzi,Aleta Armstrong,Sifiso Vilakazi(SNAT Gender).
SNAT Gender Officer Sifiso Vilakati.