Securing a future for gender-based violence survivors

By Bongiwe Zwane-Maseko

Harnessing economic empowerment to change the lives of gender-based violence survivors is a way of ensuring they have secure futures.

This was said by the Acting Gender Coordinator in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Mpendulo Masuku when delivering the keynote address at the 2022 Gender Links Voice and Choice SADC Protocol @Work Summit held at the Happy Valley Hotel at Ezulwini on Sunday.

The Summit was attended by over 100 participants from the kingdom’s different cities and towns. They are part of the Sunrise Campaign, which seeks to empower survivors of gender-based violence with economic skills so they can be financially independent.

Masuku said one of the objectives of the Summit was to acknowledge and affirm survivors of gender violence who are reclaiming their lives.

“The Summit is also aimed at gathering evidence on #VoiceandChoice through case studies on leadership and institutional practice on gender-based violence, local economic development, and the implementation of the Sunrise Campaign: Economic power to end violence. We have also come together to promote discussion and reflection on what works to achieve gender equality and justice. This is a sharing and learning platform as we will learn and share best practices from across the country and in different regions,” he said.

He said the DPM’s Office further recognises and appreciates the milestones and progress Gender Links has made in the gender mainstreaming agenda at the national level within local government and around urban areas.

“The work and impact are visible from the different programmes and projects we see within local governments around the gender and development agenda. The office really appreciates and acknowledges this partnership and complementary work being done for human development and the advancement of lives,” he said.