By Ncaba Ntshakala
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has urged global collaboration to foster women and girls’ financial resilience during the Taiwan Main Stage and Cultural Night held in New York in the United States of America.
The Taiwan event was themed “Fostering Women and Girls’ Financial Resilience.” The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the strong diplomatic ties between Eswatini and Taiwan, dating back to 1968.
She expressed her appreciation for Taiwan’s unwavering support, particularly in terms of economic cooperation and development assistance.
Taiwan’s contributions, encompassing scholarships, infrastructure projects, healthcare initiatives, and agricultural development programs, have significantly bolstered Eswatini’s socio-economic progress.
Dladla further emphasized the pivotal role of women and girls in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
She recognized them as the foundation of families, the driving force of the economy, and the architects of the nation’s future.
Despite their invaluable contributions, she acknowledged the persistent challenges that Eswatini women face in achieving financial empowerment and independence.
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The event’s theme resonated deeply with Eswatini’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive economic growth. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that financial resilience goes beyond mere access to resources.
“It’s about empowering women and girls to take control of their destinies, seize opportunities, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” she asserted. “
Empowering women economically is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for sustainable development.”
The Deputy Prime Minister outlined a multifaceted approach to foster women and girls’ financial resilience.
She made emphasis on the importance of dismantling structural inequalities and systemic barriers that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and marginalization.
This necessitates policy reforms, targeted interventions, and collaborative partnerships.
DPM Thulisile Dladla identified ensuring equal access to education and vocational training for women and girls as the cornerstone of empowerment.
Education equips women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the complexities of the modern economy and assert their rights in the workplace and beyond.
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Dladla highlighted the importance of promoting women’s entrepreneurship and facilitating their access to credit, markets, and networks. Entrepreneurship empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-reliance.
It allows them to tap into their creativity, innovation, and leadership potential to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national prosperity.
DPM further emphasized the need to enhance women’s access to financial services such as savings, credit, insurance, and digital banking.
“Financial inclusion is not just a matter of economic justice but also a catalyst for poverty reduction, social mobility, and inclusive growth,” she expressed.
Also, the DPM called for challenging harmful gender norms and stereotypes that undermine women’s economic agency and perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination.
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She advocated for creating a culture of respect, equality, and solidarity, where women and girls are valued for their unique talents and contributions.
Urging strengthened international cooperation and solidarity to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment globally, Dladla called for leveraging partnerships, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilization as crucial to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world for all.
The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged Taiwan’s ongoing support for Eswatini’s women through partnerships with various organizations.
These collaborations provide financial resources, technical assistance, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives specifically tailored to address the needs of Eswatini’s women and girls.
Concluding her remarks, The Deputy Prime Minister urged everyone to reaffirm their commitment to fostering women and girls’ financial resilience as a cornerstone of inclusive development and social justice.
She emphasized the need for collaboration in dismantling barriers, unlocking opportunities, and unleashing the full potential of women and girls as agents of change, progress, and hope.
