Keypoints:
- Gains in education and jobs undercut by bias
- One in three women face workplace barriers
- Sexual harassment widespread in schools and public spaces
ESWATINI has made significant strides toward gender parity in education and the workforce, but sexual harassment, workplace bias, and entrenched cultural attitudes continue to undermine progress, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
The research, carried out in April–May 2025 by QA Strategic Information for Afrobarometer, interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide. While gender gaps in schooling and employment are narrowing, the findings reveal that discrimination and harassment remain deeply rooted in Swati society.
Progress in education and jobs
Eswatini ranks 47th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, tied with Luxembourg and Singapore. This standing is driven by near-equal access to education, improved health outcomes, and progressive laws such as the National Gender Policy and the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act.
Survey results show 96 percent of Emaswati say boys’ schooling is rarely prioritised over girls’. Women are only slightly more likely than men to lack formal education (6 percent vs 3 percent). Employment figures are also close: 23 percent of men and 19 percent of women have full-time jobs, though nearly half of working-age women report being unemployed and actively seeking work.
Persistent harassment in schools
Despite educational parity, school environments are not always safe for girls. Three in 10 respondents say female students ‘often’ or ‘always’ face discrimination, harassment, or sexual advances from teachers. Urban residents and those with higher education are more likely to perceive this problem.
UNICEF data show pregnancy accounts for 41 percent of lower secondary and 52 percent of senior secondary school dropouts. Child marriage also persists, with 17 percent of married women wed before turning 18.
Barriers in the workplace and at home
Only 9 percent of citizens believe women face no workplace barriers. The main obstacles include lack of childcare, absence of flexible work options, and employer preference for men. One-third say women are often or always barred from paid employment by spouses or family — a figure that climbs to over 40 percent in the poorest households.
While women dominate retail jobs, men are more likely to hold skilled manual roles. No men in the survey identified as homemakers.
Under-representation in leadership
Women hold just 22 percent of parliamentary seats, short of the 30 percent constitutional quota. Public sentiment remains in favour of parity, with 82 percent supporting equal chances for women to be elected. Support is higher among women (86 percent) than men (79 percent).
Harassment in public spaces
More than one in four respondents say women ‘often’ or ‘always’ face harassment in public areas such as markets, streets, and public transport. This is reported more frequently in cities than rural areas. While 74 percent believe victims are likely to be believed, the same proportion say police and courts must do more to address such threats.
A call for stronger protections
Afrobarometer’s findings show that Eswatini’s legal and policy gains on gender equality are being undercut by cultural norms, systemic discrimination, and insufficient enforcement. Public backing for women’s rights is strong — but lasting change will require closing the gap between policy and lived reality.
