Celebrating victories in Swaziland this International Women’s Day

For many Canadian women International Women’s Day doesn’t warrant a second thought. From our workplaces and comfortable homes, the injustices facing women in the rest of the world may not seem relevant to our daily lives. What can we possibly do for the women in Zimbabwe who were brutally raped during the last election — a tactic used as a political weapon in far too many places? What can be done for girls like Malala Yousafzai who have put their lives on the line just to attend school?  And even if we are outraged as we watch basic human rights for women and girls come under fresh attack, what can we do from so far away?

It’s easy to forget that it took brave and pioneering Canadian women to obtain the advantages we enjoy today. Less than 100 years ago Canadian women couldn’t vote, and only 50 years ago the distribution of information about birth control was criminalized. In a relatively short time Canadian women have made, and continue to make, crucial and, we hope, permanent gains in our fight for equality. It is clear there is much more to do at home, from breaking through the glass ceiling to putting an end to violence and abuse.  But gender equality doesn’t end in one country; it is only truly achieved when women and girls everywhere enjoy the same rights and advantages.  When we hear stories of girls being prevented from going to school and see images of women who have been systematically raped, we are all affected. In an increasingly globalized and digitized world we are interconnected — we can be outraged by what we see but we can also be inspired and take action.  

Take Swaziland as a case in point.  Crossroads International partner the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) has advocated for law reform for almost two decades in Swaziland, where social, economic and cultural practices enforce and perpetuate legalized gender inequalities and discrimination in all aspects of women’s lives. Before a new constitution was adopted in 2006, Swazi women had the legal status of minors, preventing them from owning property, or even from opening a bank account without permission from a male relative.

At the end of 2012 Swazi women celebrated a major success, the adoption of the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act. With powerful leadership from SWAGAA and other women’s rights organizations and advocates, the law prohibits sex with a child under age 16, and men are now legally prevented from marrying underage women. This represents a huge gain for women’s rights in the country because the forcible marriage of underage girls is common practice in Swaziland. Many girls have been forced to marry men many years their senior, putting them at an increased risk of HIV infection in the country with the highest infection rate in the world. These girls and young women are particularly susceptible because many are the second, third and fourth wives in polygamous unions with little or no access to healthcare and education. 

With momentum from this remarkable achievement, women in Swaziland are now focussing their efforts towards the enactment of the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Bill. The bill would replace antiquated laws that do not address crimes such as rape with the force necessary to deter perpetrators. Although the bill was passed by the legislative assembly in October 2011, it has been stalled in Parliament and is presently before the Senate. Now they need ongoing financial support to continue this ground breaking work.

We live in a globalized world where not only money and tangible goods cross borders, but also beliefs and injustices. Canadian women know that equality for women and girls is a problem for us all. When it seems that the world has turned its back on them, we can let women on the frontlines know that we are watching and that we care.  This International Women’s Day I urge all of you to let the women of the world know that Canadians care about equality. Support a Canadian organization working to advance the rights of women here in Canada but also support Canadian organizations working with women’s groups internationally.  Real and lasting change takes time — and it takes money — but with ongoing support and a concerted effort from women worldwide, we can achieve equality.