Overview
Beginning in 2020 till 2022, Integrating the Response to GBV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Economic Marginalization of Swati Women was a multi-phased program working at the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and women's economic empowerment (WEE) in Eswatini. The Women and Girls Empowered (WAGE) program worked strategically with civil society organizations (CSOs), government, and private sector partners across three core pillars: access to justice, prevention, and protection, with a focus on legal reform, holistic service provision, and addressing harmful gender norms with key populations. The program ensures that economic strengthening (ES) programs do not result in GBV or other unintended consequences for women beneficiaries. WAGE Eswatini was led by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) with WEE technical expertise from Grameen Foundation.
Phase I (2020 – 2021): WAGE engaged with local stakeholders on legal reform priorities and advocated for improved access to legal aid for Swati women at risk of or affected by GBV and HIV. WAGE also prioritized support to local partners through training on harmful gender norms and the provision of small grants to conduct community outreach and education on gender equality. Additionally, WAGE established facilitated connections between gender-focused CSOs to improve GBV service coordination.
Phase II (2021-2022): Building on lessons learned and momentum from Phase I, WAGE continued to advocate for improved laws to protect Swati women and educate lawyers, CSOs, government actors, and the private sector about the importance of legal reform and legal aid in Eswatini. WAGE is also continued to build CSO capacity on GBV and WEE integration, raise community awareness on gender equality, and improve care for GBV survivors.
Three of the program's goals were:
- Strengthen the collective capacity of CSOs, first responders, service providers, and lawyers to improve legal protections for women affected by or at risk of GBV and HIV.
- Promote effective GBV prevention strategies.
- Provide holistic services to economically active women, including referrals to GBV survivors.