Remarks by Susan Marx at the Launch of the USAID W-GDP Women’s Employment for Economic Recovery Project in Eswatini

On December 10, Susan Marx (right), ABA ROLI Program Director in Africa, delivered the following remarks at the National Library Mbabane in Eswatini to launch the USAID-funded W-GDP Women's Employment for Economic Recovery Project alongside the US Ambassador Lisa Peterson (left), and the Minister for Commerce H.E Mancoba Khumalo (center). Due to COVID-19, the event was very small and all protocols were observed, including personal distancing and masks being worn throughout. The event was attended by a number of media outlets, including the national television station; the Executive Director of Business Women Eswatini, a key private sector stakeholder for the program; and in-country coordinators for both Grameen and ABA ROLI. Photo pulled from the US Embassy in Eswatini's Twitter account.

By: Susan Marx

His Excellency Minister of Commerce Mancoba Khumalo
Her Excellency Ms. Lisa Peterson, U.S. Ambassador to Eswatini
Other distinguished members of the Government of Eswatini
Members of the media and other guests

Sanibonani nonke.
Siyabonga ngethuba lokuba lapha namuhla.
Ligama lami nginguSusan Marx. NginguMqondzisi weProjekthi ye-American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative.

It is indeed an honor and privilege to be here today alongside the US Ambassador Lisa Peterson, and representatives from both the Eswatini government and civil society, to launch the W-GDP Women’s Employment for Economic Recovery Project, which is generously funded by the US Government.

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has worked in close collaboration with our partners at the US Embassy, as well as with our Eswatini civil society and government partners to design this 3-year project which we will implement with our core partner Grameen Foundation (Grameen).

Even before COVID-19 shook the world in 2020, women in Eswatini, and around the world faced historical challenges of economic and educational inequality, and unacceptable levels of violence against women. International statistics show that 1 in 3 women will, at some point in her life, experience violence – most likely from an intimate partner. But physical violence is not the only burden facing women. Their ability to participate as full members of society is often further hampered by restrictive laws, customs, and practices based on patriarchal societal norms.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has exacerbated these and many other challenges for women as they were relegated back to the household to care for children out of school, in many instances, giving up their employment or small business in the process.

The goal of this program is to improve women’s economic participation in Eswatini by addressing legal and regulatory shortfalls and creating greater economic opportunity through access to financial services and improved hiring practices. The Project will work to improve outcomes for women in the workforce, as well as women entrepreneurs by (1) addressing legal restrictions that prevent women from fully participating in the economy; (2) by unlocking credit and facilitating more favorable lending practices toward female entrepreneurs; and (3) by engaging men and boys in the private sector, and society at large, to combat harmful gender norms which impede the ability of Swati women to live up to their full potential.

ABA ROLI will rely on decades of experience in designing and implementing legal reform, rule of law and human rights programs around the world. Currently, ABA ROLI works in more than 50 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa. In addition to a number of local partner organizations, we will be supported by our core partner Grameen Foundation who will build on its extensive experience implementing women-centered economic empowerment programs and tools designed to ensure increased participation by women in the economy.

The Project will draw on existing and emerging research on gender in the economy and other outcomes for women, as well as recent research on the challenges and shortcomings in the legal framework as it pertains to the status of women and girls in Eswatini. The project will also work in close collaboration with other projects in these sectors, including the GWI-funded WAGE project, as well as those implemented by other implementers including the UN and other local and international partners.

I look forward to working closely with our colleagues in government, civil society, lawyers, CSOs, and communities to achieve the ambitious goals of this project.

And in the process, ngiyajabula kutsi ngisetoba-munengi kulelive lenu lelihle kakhulu.

Sibonga kakhulu kutsatsa sikhatsi senu ninatsi kulomsebenti.

US Ambassador Lisa Peterson gives remarks during the launch of the USAID-funded W-GDP Women's Employment for Economic Recovery Project in Eswatini. "Today, I am proud to announce $1 million in U.S. financial assistance which will fund a new initiative to empower women to participate more meaningfully in the Eswatini economy," said by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Peterson. (Photo and quote pulled from the US Embassy in Eswatini's Twitter account.)