16 Days of Activism News from Swaziland: 10 December 2004

The Swazi media should be commended for its commitment towards the fight against gender violence in Swaziland. The media in Swaziland have shown their commitment by reporting and exploring issues of rape, murder, incest and domestic violence during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign. The media showed interest in the 16 Days Campaign at the start of the international campaign. Swaziland Media Gender Watch (SMEGWA) visited media houses before the start of the campaign in Swaziland with the aim of sensitise journalists and editors on sensitive reporting on gender violence issues which avoided attaching stigma to survivors of abuse.
News from Swaziland
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
6th December 2004

By Bhekie Maseko
Swaziland Media and Gender Watch

COMMENT: Thumbs up for Swazi media

The Swazi media should be commended for its commitment towards the fight against gender violence in Swaziland. The media in Swaziland have shown their commitment by reporting and exploring issues of rape, murder, incest and domestic violence during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign. The media showed interest in the 16 Days Campaign at the start of the international campaign. Swaziland Media Gender Watch (SMEGWA) visited media houses before the start of the campaign in Swaziland with the aim of sensitise journalists and editors on sensitive reporting on gender violence issues which avoided attaching stigma to survivors of abuse.

Journalists at The Swazi Observer, The Times of Swaziland, The Voice Newspaper, Radio Swaziland and Swaziland Television were visited and issues of gender violence and the media role in the fight against violence were discussed with them. Editors ensured there were stories on gender violence in all bulletins and newspapers for each day of the campaign. The Times of Swaziland commemorated Worlds AIDS Day in the newsroom with staff and management. By so doing the newspaper sent a positive message to the people of Swaziland that they are also affected by the pandemic.

The media’s reporting on gender violence however, reflects merely the tip of the iceberg. There are many unreported cases of gender violence in Swazi families as many believe that violence within the family is a private problem. SMEWGA therefore has called upon every Swazi to speak out against gender violence. The Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala, has highlighted gender violence in a public address when she described Swazi men “jackals who are all out to devour women and children through abuse.”

SMEGWA is hopeful that the Swazi media will continue to include stories on gender violence in their bulletins and newspapers.