Eswatini Advances Women, Peace and Security Agenda with National Stakeholder Consultations
The Kingdom of Eswatini has taken a bold step toward fostering inclusive and sustainable peace by hosting a national capacity-building workshop focused on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.
Held from May 13 to 16 at the Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane, the workshop convened 74 stakeholders from across government departments, civil society, and traditional and religious institutions.
Organised in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the four-day workshop aimed to build national capacity for the development and implementation of a WPS National Action Plan.
The agenda is rooted in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which underscores the critical role women play in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and recovery efforts.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Nomzamo Dlamini, Director of the Department of Gender and Family Issues, emphasized that “sustainable peace is only possible when it is inclusive, representing the voices, needs, and leadership of all members of society, especially women.”
She urged strong collaboration among government, security institutions, youth advocates, civil society, and development partners to ensure the plan is well-resourced and context-specific.
Ms. Kealeboga Kelly Dambuza-Chifani of the SADC Secretariat commended Eswatini’s efforts and noted the region’s progress, with WPS national action plans now adopted by eight Member States, up from four in 2022.
She reaffirmed SADC’s commitment through its Regional Strategy on WPS (2018–2030), which calls for greater inclusion of women in peace and security processes.
Mediation and Peacebuilding Officer Mr. Fabrice Kitenge Tunda highlighted ongoing regional initiatives, including the Network of Women Mediators in Southern Africa, aimed at amplifying women’s voices in conflict prevention and diplomacy.
A key outcome of the workshop was the formulation of a Draft National Roadmap, which outlines the next steps toward a comprehensive National Action Plan on WPS for Eswatini.
