Understanding and addressing gender-based violence in Eswatini
Phumuzani Mpofu & Siphiwe Hlobsile Tfwala
Abstract
The high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the kingdom of Eswatini is quiet saddening. Women and girl children become victims of GBV to the extent of losing their lives. Therefore, this article sought to find the causes of GBV, collaborative majors and guidelines to help reduce GBV. The paper employed a qualitative research design underpinned by a transformative paradigm as a framework for promoting preventive action toward social justice for marginalized populations. Participatory Action Learning Action Research (PALAR) was employed. A purposeful sample of traditional leaders, religious leaders, law enforcers, NGOs and public were selected. Data was obtained through individual interviews, focus group interviews and analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Findings obtained revealed various causes of GBV: unequal power relations, socio-economic factors, weak legal and support systems. Study recommends that government in collaboration with stakeholders must establish educational programs and guidelines to fight GBV, improve psycho-social support, strengthen recreational systems, implement programs that focus on poverty alleviation and economic empowerment, decolonization of patriarchal cultural practices and develop awareness programs about issues faced by GBV survivors. Sexual offences domestic violence act (SODV) must be enforced by the law.
Keywords
Gender-Based Violence (GBV ), collaborative, PALAR, SODV
Author information & Contribution
Phumuzani Mpofu. Corresponding author. PhD, Post Doc, The University of Witwatersrand School of Human and Community Development. Department of Psychology. Email: mpofup89@gmail.com
Siphiwe Hlobsile Tfwala. Masters, Lecturer Eswatini College of Theology. Email: hlobsilelukhambule@gmail.com
“All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
AI Declaration
Notes
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Mpofu, P. & Tfwala, S.H. (2024). Understanding and addressing gender-based violence in Eswatini. International Review of Social Sciences Research, 4(4), 107-124. https://doi.org/10.53378/irssr.353127
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