LocationsWomen Leading Change in Eswatini
March 13, 2026
Women leaders at the Women Parliamentary Caucus International Women's Day Conference.
Eswatini has made notable progress in advancing women’s leadership within government, including the appointment of women to key positions in several ministries and their representation in parliament. However, more work is needed to further increase women’s participation in political spaces, where they currently account for about a third of members of parliament. In addition, Eswatini must intensify efforts to eradicate gender-based violence, with 48.2% of women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
These issues were highlighted during a one-day conference held on March 12 at Happy Valley Hotel to commemorate International Women’s Day. The event was convened by the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of Eswatini and brought together parliamentarians, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, and male champions of gender equality.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Nessie Golakai-Gould.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the conference explored critical pillars of governance and economic growth through four thematic areas:
Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Legislation – equipping parliamentarians with tools to influence legislative and policy processes so that laws and budgets better address gender equality.
Women’s Political Leadership – strengthening skills in coalition-building, negotiation and strategic communication to help women overcome structural barriers in politics.
The Role of Women in Growing Economies – learning from regional best practices on how women’s participation in leadership and decision-making can drive inclusive economic development.
Nationality Laws and Statelessness – examining how nationality laws affect women and children and the role of parliament in advancing legal reforms related to citizenship and statelessness.
Leading a discussion on governance and gender equality, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Nessie Golakai-Gould highlighted persistent barriers that continue to limit women’s political participation.
She noted that harmful stereotypes, discriminatory laws, limited access to education, and exclusion from political networks continue to restrict women’s leadership opportunities. She also emphasised that limited financial resources and campaign financing particularly affect women candidates from rural communities.
Golakai-Gould further pointed out that women’s representation in parliaments globally stands at about 26%, an increase of 11% since 1995, while the proportion of women serving as heads of state has remained at around 10% for decades. In Eswatini, women’s representation in parliament has increased from 22% in 2018 to 29% currently.
She also highlighted emerging challenges such as online harassment and the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, which continue to hinder women’s full and safe participation in political life.
“Your agenda – covering gender-responsive budgeting, women’s economic empowerment, nationality laws and statelessness, and gender-based violence – goes to the heart of inclusive governance,” she said, commending the WPC for its commitment to advancing gender-responsive laws, oversight and advocacy.
Zenanile Dlamini, UNFPA Gender and Youth Analyst
The conference also examined the role of gender-inclusive leadership in transforming social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. According to UNFPA, 17.1% of ever married or partnered women aged 15-49 experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in the past 12 months.
UNFPA Gender Analyst Zenanile Dlamini said gender-based violence is sustained by deeply rooted social norms that normalise inequality and harmful beliefs about gender roles. She noted that one in three girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.
“Gender-inclusive leadership promotes equal representation and participation, policies that protect women and girls, and accountability for perpetrators of violence,” she said.
Dlamini added that women leaders play a vital role in bringing lived realities into policy spaces, noting that leadership is not only about representation but also about transforming systems and norms.
Senate President, Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini, delivering her remarks.
Officially opening the conference, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini called for increased investment in women’s leadership, emphasising that inclusive leadership is essential for strengthening governance and advancing sustainable development.
“Leadership is not gendered; it is vision driven. Together we can shape a world where leadership knows no gender – only vision, courage and the will to serve,” she said.
Dlamini stressed that women’s leadership is a strategic investment with significant returns for societies and economies.
“Women’s leadership is not a matter of preference but a non-negotiable, high-return investment. In times of crisis, women have proven to be stabilisers, innovators and bridge builders,” she said. “Investing in women’s leadership is therefore smart, strategic and essential for the development of our communities and economy.”
She also underscored the need to dismantle structural barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in leadership.
“Today’s discussions, ranging from transforming social norms to economic empowerment, are designed to equip us with the tools to lead more inclusively,” she added.
WPC chairperson, Senator Dr Linda Nxumalo, making a contribution during the discussions.
Speaking at the same event, WPC Chairperson Dr Linda Nxumalo highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership in ensuring governance systems respond to the needs of all citizens.
“Inclusive leadership ensures that every voice is heard; that institutions serve all citizens, and that policies reflect the lived realities of our people,” she said. “It challenges harmful norms, strengthens governance, and promotes fairness and dignity for all.”
Nxumalo added that parliamentarians have a responsibility not only to pass laws but also to champion values that advance equality and justice.