Princess Lindiwe calls for stronger global partnerships to accelerate women’s empowerment
By Siphesihle Dlamini
Minister for Home Affairs, Her Royal Highness Princess Lindiwe, has urged nations to deepen multilateral cooperation as a critical pathway to accelerating women’s empowerment, asserting that no country can advance the cause of women in isolation.
The Minister was addressing delegates at the International Conference on ‘The Role of Women in Modern Society: Developing International Cooperation for Sustainable Development,’ held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, where policymakers, development practitioners and international partners gathered to reflect on women’s leadership in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Speaking under the theme “Expanding Multilateral Dialogue and Partnership as a Factor in Strengthening the Role of Women in Political, Economic and Socio-Humanitarian Dimensions,” Princess Lindiwe emphasised that collaboration, shared responsibility, and inclusive partnerships were indispensable to achieving meaningful and sustainable progress for women worldwide.
“No nation can succeed alone in advancing women’s development,” she said. “Cooperation, shared commitment and inclusive partnerships are essential if we are to translate aspirations into real outcomes.
” Drawing from Eswatini’s national experience, Princess Lindiwe said the Kingdom’s commitment to women’s empowerment is firmly grounded in constitutional guarantees and reinforced by cultural values that recognise the central role of women in society.
“In Eswatini, our commitment to women’s empowerment is rooted in our Constitutional guarantees and the strength of our cultural heritage, which provides a formidable foundation for progress,” she told the conference.
“We firmly believe that sustainable development is realised when women participate equally in leadership and governance.”
She highlighted that Eswatini’s Constitution provides a clear legal framework for gender equality, noting that it explicitly prohibits discrimination based on gender and promotes equitable representation in public life.
“Our Constitution ensures equality before the law,” Princess Lindiwe said. “Sections 84, 86 and 95 guarantee the right to equitable representation for women and vulnerable groups in Parliament and public structures.”
These constitutional provisions, she explained, paved the way for targeted legislative interventions, including the Election of Women into the House of Assembly Act of 2018, which was enacted to enhance women’s participation in Parliament.
Princess Lindiwe reported steady progress in women’s political representation, revealing that women currently make up 29 per cent of the 11th Parliament.
Beyond Parliament, she said, women now occupy a significant number of senior leadership positions across the public and private sectors.
“Women also constitute a significant ratio in crucial leadership positions of Principal Secretaries, Ambassadors, Judges and Senior Directors,” she said.
She further acknowledged the pivotal role of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, describing her as the principal symbol of women’s leadership in Eswatini and an ardent champion for the rights and advancement of women and girls.
Turning to economic participation, Princess Lindiwe stressed that empowering women economically is central to restoring dignity, reducing inequality and driving sustainable growth.
“Economic empowerment is central to the dignity and advancement of women in our Kingdom,” she said. “Our targeted strategies ensure women are drivers of economic transformation, not just beneficiaries.”