Eswatini - Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Treaty

This report addresses Eswatini’s obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights with respect to women’s participation, the marginalisation of youth, and the relationship between mental health and participation in public life. Despite existing legal and institutional protections, significant cultural, socioeconomic and structural barriers continue to prevent the equal and effective enjoyment of Covenant rights.

The report examines key concerns including (1) barriers to women’s participation arising from child marriage and harmful customary practices, pregnancy-related school dropouts, sexual harassment in education, workplace discrimination, and restrictions on women’s public life; (2) the marginalisation of youth through inadequate civic education, child labour, restrictions on academic freedom and unequal access to education, particularly for children with disabilities; and (3) the impact of State violence and untreated collective trauma on mental health and subsequent civic and political participation. 

Accordingly, the recommends that Eswatini prohibit child marriage and harmful customary practices; address pregnancy-related school dropouts and sexual harassment in educational institutions; take concrete measures to improve women’s representation and participation in public life; introduce compulsory civic education; strengthen access to free and inclusive education; protect peaceful student activism; and expand accessible mental-health and psychosocial support, particularly for victims of State violence and their communities.