By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, participated alongside her fellow women foreign ministers in Toronto for a pivotal two-day conference aimed at advancing gender equality and tackling the rise of misogyny faced by women in politics.
Hosted by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mélanie Joly, and co-chaired by Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, the summit gathered nearly half of the world’s women foreign ministers to strategize on empowering women in leadership positions globally.
Minister Shakantu emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating, “The conference is building on our collective global efforts to promote gender equality.
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Our discussions stressed the need to embed gender equality as a core principle in both domestic and international strategies.”
The ministers concentrated on enhancing gender representation in leadership roles and ensuring safe, inclusive spaces for women in politics and public life.
One key issue addressed was the rising online hostility directed at women politicians, a trend that negatively impacts their governance participation.
Minister Pholile Shakantu reflected on the alarming increase of misogyny in digital spaces, adding, “The hatred, prejudice, and discriminatory attitudes towards women are increasingly visible online, manifesting in behaviours and practices that devalue women and reinforce gender inequalities.
This pervasive misogyny limits women’s rights and opportunities, ultimately decreasing their participation in politics.”
The ministers collectively pledged to advocate for stronger regulations to combat gendered disinformation and protect women in leadership roles from such threats.
Throughout the conference, many shared their experiences of targeted online attacks, further underscoring the need for global solidarity.
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Minister Shakantu concluded by reiterating the group’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of women leaders.
“Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that gender equality remains central to our collective agenda,” she affirmed.
