Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Commends Eswatini’s HIV Response, Raises Questions on the 2021 Civil Unrest and High Rates of Youth Unemployment
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights today concluded its review of the initial report of Eswatini on the State party’s efforts to implement the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, with Committee Experts commending Eswatini’s HIV response, while raising questions on investigations into the 2021 civil unrest, and how the State was tackling high rates of youth unemployment.
A Committee Expert welcomed the State party’s commitment to universal health coverage and commended its achievement of the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets and its reduction of new HIV infections compared to previous years, while asking how the withdrawal of funding had impacted this progress.
Asraf Ally Caunhye, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the African Commission for Human Rights had noted the disproportionate use of force in the 2021 civil unrest, including summary executions of human rights defenders, and further condemned the brutal murder of a prominent human rights lawyer. What had been done to investigate these incidents?
Mr. Caunhye also said the Committee noted the persistently high unemployment rates in the country, particularly among young people, where unemployment was reported to reach 58.2 per cent. What specific measures were being taken to address the exceptionally high rate of youth unemployment and to facilitate young people's transition from education and training into decent work?
Introducing the report, Dorcas N. Dlamini, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Eswatini and head of the delegation, said on the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Covenant this year, the Government of Eswatini reaffirmed its commitment to the progressive realisation of these rights.
Responding to questions, the delegation said the victims of the 2021 unrest included political activists, police officers, members of security forces and the general public. Every case was investigated diligently, which had produced breakthroughs in several cases with suspects awaiting trial. The investigation of the killing of the human rights lawyer in 2023 remained active under the Eswatini police. Following the 2021 unrest, the Government had conducted a review which stated that the level of force used was necessary and proportionate.
The delegation also said that youth unemployment remained one of the most serious challenges facing Eswatini, as well as the number of youths not in education, work or training. The Government was responding in several ways, including through the youth empowerment programme, which provided training for young people to grow skills and start businesses. Additionally, the youth evolving fund offered loans to support people to start businesses. The Government was also responding in terms of job creation and had allocated budgets to infrastructure which would open around 10,000 jobs for young people.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Caunhye thanked Eswatini for the discussions which had been enriching and stimulating.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Dlamini said the Government of Eswatini looked to the outcome of the review with optimism and would continue to take steps to ensure the full implementation of the Covenant.
The Committee’s eightieth session is being held from 2 to 13 November 2026. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.
The delegation of Eswatini was comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Education and Training; the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade; the Attorney General’s Office; the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office; and the Permanent Mission of Eswatini to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 3 November to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Pakistan (E/C.12/PAK/2).
Report
The Committee has before it the initial report of Eswatini (E/C.12/SWZ/1).
Presentation of Report
DORCAS N. DLAMINI, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Eswatini and head of the delegation, expressed regret that the submission of Eswatini’s report was not timely, due to the absence of a coordinating body for State party reporting. This had since been addressed through the establishment of the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up in 2020. On the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Covenant this year, the Government of Eswatini reaffirmed its commitment to the progressive realisation of these rights.
For the 2026/27 financial year, the national budget amounted to E36.92 billion, representing a significant allocation relative to the country's gross domestic product of approximately E102 billion. On the economy, growth rose from 3.4 per cent in 2021 to 5.6 per cent in 2025, which translated to a decline in poverty and unemployment.
Eswatini’s Government continued to prioritise the right to education, increasing the budget allocated to education in the national budget to 16.7 per cent, as well as the allocation for orphans and vulnerable children and scholarships. This investment was yielding results, with primary net enrolment reaching 95.3 per cent in 2025, while secondary net enrolment stood at 55.7 per cent for lower secondary and 35.1 per cent for senior secondary. Additionally, competency-based education was being rolled out, 243 teachers had been converted from temporary to permanent employment, and four new secondary schools, one in each region, were under construction.
Health interventions in Eswatini were guided by the Constitution, the health act, the national health sector strategic plan 2024-2028, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and the national pursuit of universal health coverage, to ensure access to equitable, affordable and quality health care. Eswatini's response to HIV was leading the African continent; the State was among the first countries globally to introduce the injectable LEN as part of the national HIV prevention protocol.
Non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions posed a growing burden on the health system, and in response, the Government had strengthened integrated chronic care through primary health care platforms, expanded specialised services, and adopted innovative diagnostic technologies to improve early detection and management. Cervical cancer screening had been scaled up to 48 per cent nationwide, supported by the human papillomavirus vaccination of girls up to the age of 20.
The Government, in collaboration with development partners and non-governmental organizations, was implementing the decent shelter programme for the most vulnerable groups, which had been rolled out across all 59 constituencies and had delivered 1,135 houses since inception in 2023, benefiting women, children and persons with disabilities. The food assistance programme reached 263,090 people in 58,201 households across all constituencies.
Eswatini was also at an advanced stage of introducing the unemployment benefit fund to protect workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In the first quarter of the current financial year, the Labour Inspectorate conducted 788 inspections, representing a 31.8 per cent increase, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to strengthening compliance with labour standards and improving the protection of workers. Ms. Dlamini concluded by reaffirming the Government of Eswatini’s commitment to the progressive realisation of the rights covered in the Covenant.
Questions by a Committee Expert
ASRAF ALLY CAUNHYE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked what measures were being taken to incorporate the provisions of the Covenant into Eswatini’s domestic legislative framework? How did citizens in the country obtain effective judicial remedies for violations of their rights under the Covenant? Could examples of recent court cases be provided? What measures were in place to raise awareness of the Covenant and provide training to public officials? Would Eswatini consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Covenant? If not, what were the reasons for abstaining from doing so?
Various reports indicated that the executive exerted undue interference which impinged on the independence of the judiciary. What measures were in place to ensure the judiciary functioned in full independence, free from interference? Eswatini did not have a national human rights institution fully compliant with the Paris Principles; what steps were being taken to establish such an institution? What concrete measures were being taken for the adequate funding and staffing of the Commission?
There had been reports of severe reprisals and attacks against human rights defenders and activists. The African Commission for Human Rights had noted the disproportionate use of force in the 2021 civil unrest, including summary executions of human rights defenders, and further condemned the brutal murder of a prominent human rights lawyer. What had been done to prevent human rights defenders from being subject to any intimidation, harassment or violence in the conduct of their activities? What concrete measures had been taken to implement an effective law enforcement mechanism to investigate and prosecute all those responsible for harming human rights defenders? What had been done to investigate the 2021 civil unrest and the murder of the prominent human rights lawyer?
What mechanism was in place to afford effective compensation to victims of human rights violations by businesses? What measures were in place to address the damaging consequences of environmental degradation caused by mining companies in the context of extractive projects? Eswatini was particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Could information be provided on the progress of the implementation of climate plans and strategies to meet Eswatini’s targets under the Paris Principles? What steps had been taken to strengthen preparedness and response to natural disasters?
Reports indicated that the current framework had failed to combat corruption; what concrete measures were in place to effectively combat corruption in all sectors and adopt comprehensive anti-corruption legislation? What measures were being taken for the protection of whistleblowers from any form of harassment or intimidation?
Eswatini was one of the countries with the highest income inequalities in the world. What measures were being taken to eradicate poverty, including for those in the most vulnerable situations? What was the total income of the richest 10 per cent of the population compared to the poorest 40 per cent? What measures were being taken to promote land use for food security, particularly in rural areas? What had been done to increase public expenditure and the proportion of the public budget allocated to social security, housing and education? What concrete measures were in place to combat tax evasion and avoidance by corporate entities and the richest percentile of the population?
There were reports of hostile and discriminatory treatment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, as well as women, migrants and religious minorities. What steps had been taken to establish a comprehensive legal framework on all prohibited grounds of discrimination as listed in the Covenant? What had been done to ensure the implementation of equal rights for same sex couples? What remedies were in place for discriminatory treatment against these groups? What steps had been taken to implement public awareness campaigns to combat stereotypes?
Women were widely discriminated against, including in land tenure and inheritance rights. What had been done to combat these gender inequalities? What was the State doing to implement gender equality legislation, including with respect to land tenure and inheritance rights? What measures had been taken to strengthen gender parity and representation in the House of Assembly? What concrete measures had been taken to address women’s vulnerability and exposure to gender-based violence and ensure all forms of violence against women and girls were investigated and sanctioned? What was being done to eliminate the wage gap and disparities between men and women across all sectors?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Eswatini was a dualist State and the Covenant was not directly applicable. The Covenant had been invoked before the courts in regard to the right to education and also in a case challenging the exclusion of domestic workers. However, knowledge of the Covenant was limited among the judiciary. The Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration Bill was awaiting adoption by the Parliament. Although customary land rights were traditionally exercised through a male relative, the courts had protected the rights of widows to utilise land without customary interference.
The Covenant was not directly appliable in Eswatini, but this did not mean it was irrelevant. There were multiple Covenant rights guaranteed by the 2005 Constitution, including the right to equality between men and women, the right to family life and the right to free, primary education. The courts of Eswatini had extensive powers in human rights litigation and could grant any appropriate order which secured the enforcement of their rights. There had been cases where the courts directly invoked the Covenant, including in child rights and regarding domestic workers.
The Government did not have programmes of its own to provide training to judicial officers; however, with the assistance of partners, legal practitioners were trained on Covenant rights and in utilising human rights law. Eswatini would consider becoming a party to the Optional Protocol in the future. Eswatini’s Constitution guaranteed the independence in the judiciary. There were no attempts by State organs to interfere with judicial independence.
The Government had taken steps to ensure the National Human Rights Commission was compliant with the Paris Principles, through consultations with stakeholders, which had taken place since the tabling of the bill in 2026. The Government could not put a date on when the bill would be adopted. The Commission of Human Rights was currently supported by the Ministry of Justice. Once the bill was in place, the Commission would be able to have its own separate head and be totally autonomous from the Government.
The Government was strengthening responsible business conduct through business registration, consumer protection and labour compliance and awareness programmes. Eswatini had not yet established a timetable for developing a national action plan on business and human rights. However, several existing pieces of legislation enshrined protection in this regard. There were several legal frameworks in place, including one which dealt with those who violated trading license laws.
Despite being a State that was not emitting a lot of carbon emissions, Eswatini had put plans in place to mitigate emissions. A waste management project, among others, had been implemented. As the country transitioned to clean energy, several initiatives were being implemented, including reskilling workers who had previously worked in unclean energy, such as boiler operators. In the education sector, students were being trained to install solar plants. Three household income surveys had been conducted which had shown a small decline in inequality, and the Government was continuing to focus on this area as a priority.
The Government was putting measures in place to ensure vulnerable groups in society were supported. The free primary education programme was being implemented, as well as school feeding programmes. Grants were available for those with disabilities as well as the elderly. The Government was using digitalisation to track income and minimise instances of tax evasion.
The victims of the 2021 unrest included political activists, police officers, members of security forces and the general public. Every case was investigated diligently, which had produced breakthroughs in several cases with suspects awaiting trial. The investigation of the killing of the human rights lawyer in 2023 remained active under the Eswatini police. There were some witnesses who possessed key information for the investigation but they were not cooperating, which presented a stumbling block. Following the 2021 unrest, the Government had conducted a review which stated that the level of force used was necessary and proportionate.
The Anti-Corruption Commission had received 74 complaints in the most recent financial year. The State had started the process of developing an anti-corruption strategy.
In the absence of an equality act in Eswatini, persons with disabilities were still protected under the disability act, and an action plan was launched in July 2026 that included a multisectoral framework encompassing all the rights of persons with disabilities. The plan prioritised activities, including accessible health care and vocational training. Campaigns were carried out, sensitising the general public and other relevant stakeholders. The rights of women continued to be mainstreamed and integrated within different legal frameworks. Advocacy continued to be carried out in different sectors, including targeting different populations such as parliamentarians, traditional leaders, academics and the general public. Women in Eswatini continued to enjoy their rights of access to land.
Questions by Committee Experts
SANTIAGO MANUEL FIORIO VAESKEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, recognised the work done by the State on follow-up for treaty bodies, as well as the national reporting mechanism. How was the mechanism monitored and how were reports drafted through the mechanism? What had prevented training on the Covenant from taking place? Would such training take place in the future?
ASRAF ALLY CAUNHYE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked what was being done to improve the existing legal framework to ensure any crimes against human rights defenders did not go unpunished in the future, and to ensure protection for human rights defenders involved in the protection of economic, social and cultural rights?
An Expert asked what had been the State party’s experience in terms of development cooperation activities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there were no plans yet to amend legal frameworks. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons could seek redress in the same way as anyone else for violations of their human rights. Eswatini had developed a national strategy on ending violence, which included several activities which had already been implemented, including training frontline responders and advocacy activities targeting teachers and parents. There had been ongoing programmes to sensitise the public on how to report instances of gender-based violence.
Eswatini had taken a position to redistribute unpaid care work and had sensitised legislators on this issue, prior to developing an action plan. The National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up was headed by the Ministry of Justice and had been created to monitor treaty body recommendations.
Eswatini was party to International Labour Organization Convention 111, relating to non-discrimination, which was domesticated through the employment act. There were low incidents of wage disparities between male and female workers. The Department of Labour conducted awareness raising initiatives and encouraged women’s participation in all employment sectors to discourage wage gaps. Training sessions were administered to law enforcement personnel to ensure that when they interacted with the public, they did not violate rights.
Eswatini was always open to expanding the grounds of discrimination to include those who were not covered. Currently, lawyers and prosecutors were trained on international human rights. Ongoing training had been held with international partners over the years, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The national poverty rate had declined over the past few years to around 54.3 per cent. Even though it had declined, it was still high and the Government was putting measures in place to ensure it was reduced.
Questions by a Committee Expert
ASRAF ALLY CAUNHYE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee noted the persistently high unemployment rates in the country, particularly among young people, where unemployment was reported to reach 58.2 per cent, as well as the continuing disparities affecting women and persons with disabilities. Could the delegation provide updated information on the concrete impact of employment programmes implemented in recent years and indicate how many sustainable jobs had been created, particularly for youth, women and persons with disabilities? What specific measures were being taken to address the exceptionally high rate of youth unemployment and to facilitate young people's transition from education and training into decent work?
What outcomes had been achieved through vocational training and employment initiatives targeting persons with disabilities, including data on their integration into the labour market? What steps were being taken to formalise employment in the informal economy and ensure the access of informal workers to labour protection and social security?
The Committee noted that a national minimum wage had not yet been established and that the issue remained under consideration. When did the Government expect to adopt and implement a national minimum wage framework consistent with the requirements of the Covenant? Had the State conducted any assessment as to whether existing sectoral minimum wages ensured a decent living for workers and their families? Could updated information be provided on the gender wage gap?
The Committee noted the occupational safety and health inspections conducted during 2025–2026. Could information be provided on sanctions imposed following identified violations and measures taken to prevent workplace accidents? Could the delegation provide statistics on complaints related to sexual harassment in the workplace and the remedies available to victims? What measures were in place to ensure the full independence and effective functioning of trade unions? What proportion of workers were currently covered by collective bargaining agreements?
Did any legal or practical restrictions affect the exercise of the right to strike? What labour reforms were currently under consideration and how would they strengthen the protection of trade union rights? Were there restrictions imposed on the activities of trade unions? What measures had been taken to protect trade unionists from threats, harassment, intimidation and violence? What investigations had been carried out and what had been the results?
The Committee welcomed information concerning the national social security policy and efforts to establish a social protection floor. What progress had been made in extending social security coverage to workers in the informal economy?
What timeline had been established for the implementation of a comprehensive social protection floor accessible to all persons under the State's jurisdiction?
Had the Government assessed whether existing social benefits were sufficient to guarantee an adequate standard of living for beneficiaries, particularly those living in poverty? What measures were being taken to improve social protection coverage and benefits for persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups? How were migrant workers and other vulnerable populations protected under the national social security system? What measures had been taken to ensure the effective protection of domestic workers?
Responses by the Delegation
The Government had implemented various projects to improve entrepreneurship and establish businesses. The innovation hub programme provided a platform for the development of digital skills, training and business support, particularly for young people, women and persons with disabilities. The establishment of the national minimum wage board was still under consideration. A fund had been established which enabled those in the informal sector to save some of their money in a pension fund. The unemployment benefit fund extended income protection to workers, protecting those who lost their job involuntarily, as well as those who had prolonged sickness. Eswatini was prioritising these key reforms to ensure workers benefitted sooner. Only 29 per cent of the population was covered by at least one social protection programme. The State would ensure that coverage was provided to all who were vulnerable.
Eswatini had adopted legislation which criminalised sexual harassment in the workplace. The State had conducted over 1,000 labour inspections and interventions each year over the past few years. The majority of inspections were follow-ups to verify compliance and facilitate the issuance of labour compliance certificates. The enforcement tools available to the Labour Inspectorate included referrals to the courts, as well as notices. This financial year, there had been more than 400 injuries recorded in the workplace.
The Government continued to pursue legislative reforms aimed at labour reviews. The employment bill of 2024 had been tabled in the House of Assembly in 2025, and when enacted would modernise Eswatini’s employment framework, ensuring compliance with applicable international labour standards. It also sought to promote social justice and democracy in the workplace as well as social justice and equity. The Government also had an industrial relations bill which had undergone several amendments and was currently before the labour advisory board, pending the incorporation of International Labour Organization comments received in 2025. The proposed amendments were to strengthen arbitration commissions to facilitate mediation disputes.
The Government of Eswatini recognised the informal economy as an important contributor to livelihoods and economic creation. Several initiatives had been undertaken by the Government to support the informal economy, including supporting informal traders to develop their businesses, as well as the creation of the informal traders fund, which had supported around 50 traders between 2021 to 2025. Informal traders were also encouraged to enrol on an online platform, so that the Government could locate them and provide support.
Currently, workers, including domestic workers, were left with common law remedies to obtain compensation. Eswatini acknowledged that this was inadequate, but legislation was under review. Workers in Eswatini had the right to form trade unions, but there were gaps in the protection of trade union rights, some of which were under review. The right to strike was guaranteed by legislation. There were no restrictions on human rights activities which were consistent with human rights norms, and no trade union leaders who had been murdered.
Questions by Committee Experts
PEIJIE CHEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, asked how the State determined the basic minimum wages in practice, in the absence of a national minimum wage standard?
Another Expert asked about youth unemployment in certain rural regions in the country which reached 71 per cent. What targeted measures did the national employment strategy contain for rural areas? What minimum wages were applicable to agricultural and seasonal workers? What measures were in place to protect agricultural workers from heat stress and pesticide exposure?
A Committee Expert said unemployment was a significant issue in Eswatini, particularly among young people. There were also around 30 per cent of persons between 15 and 24 years old who were not in employment, education or training, which was an alarmingly high number for the Committee. What obstacles had the State come across in launching programmes in this regard?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said a provision in the labour act addressed issues of sexual harassment. Interventions targeted employers and employees to sensitise them on sexual harassment. These sessions had resulted in the development of sexual harassment policies in workplaces. Eswatini had 18 wages councils, focusing on different sectors, which aimed to deal with unfairness when it came to wage setting.
Youth unemployment remained one of the most serious challenges facing Eswatini, as well as the number of youths not in education, work or training. The Government was responding in several ways, including through the youth empowerment programme, which provided training for young people to grow skills and start businesses. Additionally, the youth evolving fund offered loans to support people to start businesses. The Government was also responding in terms of job creation and had allocated budgets to infrastructure which would open around 10,000 jobs for young people. Partners, including the World Bank, were supporting the Government on projects which would support employment opportunities for young people.
Poverty rates were high in certain rural regions, and the Government was working on several programmes to overcome this. One of these included a focus on climate resilience and education to enable small farmers in regions prone to disaster to transfer to commercial farming. A school programme, which ran through all the schools in the country, aimed to equip young people with entrepreneurship, financial literacy and skills to manage their business and become economically productive.
Questions by a Committee Expert
PEIJIE CHEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said
according to the State party report, there was a persistence of harmful customary practices and child marriages in the country. Violence against children and women was prevalent; 34 per cent of children under five did not have birth registration and sexual exploitation and abuse of children was prevalent.
Had there been a comprehensive and overall review or plan to address the problems of marriage under customary law? What was the current situation on the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and could relevant data be provided? What measures were being taken to better protect children? Were there targeted education and training programmes to tackle violence against children and women? What kind of measures had been taken to accelerate the resolution of birth registration for children under five years old? Was there a social welfare programme for women? What were the special rights and protection arrangements for the elderly?
Although there were multiple strategic plans, as well as measures such as the zero hunger strategy, according to the report, there was still a serious situation of poverty in the country. What measures were being taken by the State party to address the issues which contributed to this situation, and how was Government support provided? What measures had the State taken to narrow the gap with the provisions of the Covenant? What was the current situation, regarding where farmland was used for real estate and ecosystems were damaged; had there been any improvement? Had policies and legislation been introduced in this regard? What was the State party’s practices regarding sewerage discharge?
Serious issues existed in the State party in ensuring citizens' right to health.
What measures had been taken to more effectively address the shortage of medical facilities, medical staff and medicine, especially in rural areas? Were there any preferential measures in place for rural and low-income communities? What efforts had been made in achieving comprehensive vaccination? What measures had been taken to strengthen the capacity building of mental healthcare services? Was any special care given to victims of violence? What efforts had been made by the State party to explore the root reason for the high rates of HIV and develop more effective methods to control this issue? What was the State party doing to tackle the issue of teenage pregnancy?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Eswatini did not currently have statistics on sexual harassment. This did not mean that no cases had occurred as they may have been under-recorded or classified under different categories. The Government would continue to strengthen reporting mechanisms and the collection of disaggregated data to ensure such statistics were recorded.
Access to land for women had improved in Eswatini. Awareness building exercises had been launched targeting traditional authorities and families. A review of the land policy had also been launched, aiming to promote access to land for women and other vulnerable groups.
Under the current Parliament, women recorded 25 per cent of presentation. The country had continued to strengthen advocacy, targeting women and preparing them for elections. During civic education conducted by the Electoral Boundaries Commission, slots were provided for lobbying for the Electoral Commission of Women, and more advocacy continued through different formats.
The National Health Sector strategic plan from 2024 to 2028 aimed to provide all citizens with preventive rehabilitative and palliative care. The Government was working with partners to ensure health services and health financing and contributions with development partners. Since Eswatini had no national health insurance, a strategy had been put in place which sought to accelerate universal health coverage and establish the national health insurance system, and increase universal health coverage to 70 per cent by 2030.
There were 301 health facilities in Eswatini in 2024, with 46 per cent owned by the Government and the rest owned by non-governmental organizations and private and other entities. Health service delivery in Eswatini had a strong focus on primary health care. All residents in the country were able to access highly subsidised health care without discrimination, and the Government aimed to ensure everyone in the country could access healthcare within an eight-kilometer radius. Filter clinics had been established in rural areas, around towns and cities, to cover the populations in these areas.
Vulnerable populations such as the elderly were able to access the full range of health services, free of charge. Children under five years could access vaccinations free of charge. The Government had embarked on the basic decentralisation of health services, which had improved accessibility to critical health services, with over 75 per cent of people on antiretroviral therapy receiving services from rural clinics.
The decentralisation of non-communicable disease treatment had increased to 60 per cent of clinics in the country. Hospital infrastructure had been prioritised to ensure minimum disruption at all times. The hospital electricity supply was prioritised by the Eswatini Electricity Company, and was not interrupted. The country had challenges with human resources for health; however, developments in this regard were ongoing.
The availability of specialised services remained a challenge; however, the Government had partnered with medical specialists in the local sector to provide medical services. Eswatini had faced sporadic low levels of medicines and supplies over the past decade, which had been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eswatini medical supplies act was on track to be operational in 2027 and was expected to improve the availability of health commodities.
Eswatini had demonstrated a strong performance in combatting HIV despite having high levels of the disease; it was recognised as one of the first countries to achieve the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets, well ahead of 2030. Mother to child transmission had declined from 20 per cent in 2002, to 1.3 per cent in 2025. While the State celebrated these gains, it was acknowledged that HIV/AIDS was a looming threat and a burden to the healthcare system. Despite the decline in HIV funding in recent years, HIV service delivery had not been interrupted in Eswatini. Access to testing, treatment and monitoring for those living with HIV was free of charge. Programmes also targeted healthcare workers to prevent discrimination in Government hospitals.
The Ministry of Health was also working to ensure access to HIV services for those living with disabilities, including those who were deaf and blind. Vaccination for preventable diseases was the cornerstone of Eswatini’s vaccine programme. The country had seen a rebound in vaccination coverage, with all four regions of the country showing high levels of vaccine coverage. Eswatini was one of the few countries in the region that did not use donor funding to secure all vaccines. The country had also introduced the human papillomavirus vaccine for girls and covered 74 per cent of the age group.
Non-communicable diseases remained a challenge for Eswatini, accounting for 46 per cent of deaths in 2023, including people living with HIV who had developed non-communicable diseases. The decentralisation of mental health services to regional hospitals was ongoing to minimise overcrowding at the national psychiatric hospital. Teenage pregnancies continued to be a challenge for the health system in the country, with 17 per cent of adolescent deliveries below the age of 20 years old. Youth-friendly reproductive health services had been prioritised, and family counselling services were provided in a youth-friendly manner.
The population of Eswatini was estimated at around 1.2 million, with 34 per cent being young people under the age of 18. The Government was committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, including in regard to sewage discharge, and was looking at doing this through treatment and community action. There were several pieces of legislation within the State party which prohibited pollution in the air, water and soil. The Eswatini Water Services Corporation operated 10 water treatment plants. The Department of Water Services, responsible for rural water, periodically collected samples and performed tests to ensure the water being used by people was safe.
The Government had initiated a national programme to upgrade informal settlements, working in collaboration with municipalities, ensuring services were provided to informal settlements to improve their standards of living, rather than removing them. A project had been introduced for the construction and rehabilitation of housing, targeting households for persons with disabilities to ensure they could enjoy a decent life. The Government was consistently monitoring the situation of food insecurity and was conducting the voluntary assessment on an annual basis. The number of those who were extremely food insecure had declined to around 16 per cent in 2025, mainly located in the regions prone to drought. The Government was also implementing programmes aimed at improving food production. The Government acknowledged that the poverty rate was high in Eswatini and was responding through the poverty action plan.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said suicide rates in Eswatini were four times higher than the average in Sub Saharan Africa. It was a multifactoral problem which required coordinated action. Had the State made any headway in identifying the root causes which drove people to suicide in Eswatini? Had coordinated actions been rolled out to address these root causes? How many people benefitted from mental health coverage? Were there any changes in the budget to support food security activities?
SANTIAGO MANUEL FIORIO VAESKEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said the delegation had provided a wealth of information on steps taken to combat poverty. Did the State party intend to roll out a multi-dimensional poverty identification system, including poverty indicators relating to housing, food and water, among other factors? What measures had been adopted to meet basic needs for workers in the informal and agricultural sectors? What measures had been enacted to expand access to safe drinking water?
A Committee Expert welcomed the State party’s commitment to universal health coverage and commended its achievement of the 95-95-95 targets and its reduction of new HIV infections compared to previous years. However, the sudden withdrawal of funding threatened to reverse this progress. Did the State party have a plan with targets and timelines to increase domestic financing of the HIV response so it did not heavily depend on external funding. To what extent were HIV services integrated into primary health care and financed through the external health care package?
SRAF ALLY CAUNHYE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said recent information pointed to forced evictions in the State party. Could information be provided on the legal, policy and practical measures adopted to prevent forced evictions and ensure security of tenure, including in rural areas? What safeguards were in place to guarantee genuine consultations with affected communities, as well as protection from coercion in relocation processes? What steps were being taken to reduce maternal mortality among women in rural and disadvantaged communities?
Another Expert said the number of stunted children in Eswatini had been reduced, currently standing at around 20 per cent. What were the core reasons for this situation and how would it be addressed?
PEIJIE CHEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said only 63.9 per cent of people in Eswatini had access to basic sanitation. What actions would the State party take to expand access to water and prevent further decline in access to sanitation? What specific actions would be taken to ensure vulnerable groups were not excluded from the immediate enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Eswatini had not consolidated the collection of data in regard to suicide. The information they had suggested that more than 80 per cent of suicides were among men and quite a young group, due to lack of employment and substance abuse, including marijuana. The police service was conducting programmes to sensitise the population, but the inadequate numbers of psychologists presented challenges. Mental health services were distributed through different ministries and sectors; there was no one reporting mechanism for the State.
Some HIV services had been able to continue, despite the funding withdrawal, but not at the rate that the State preferred. Eswatini was taking over all commodities for HIV. By 2030, all the critical services would be within the Government. The State aimed to ensure diagnostics were fully funded by the Government, and domestic HIV funding was expected to increase over the next five years.
Eswatini had developed an agriculture improvement programme covering the period 2022–2026. The plan had seven pillars aimed to ensure agriculture production was improved, moving towards commercial farming. Interventions had also been introduced which aimed at ensuring credit for farmers.
Eswatini appreciated income-based and multidimensional approaches to measuring poverty. A multidimensional poverty analysis had been conducted for children, with the support of partners.
The Government was implementing several projects to ensure safe drinking water, including those aimed at expanding potable water coverage across water stressed communities. The investment was aimed at expanding pipe networks to several thousand residents.
Under national law, evictions, which were carried out after a new owner took over ownership of a farm, were pursuant to a judicial process, and the Constitution provided for procedural safeguards, including consultation with affected families. The Government needed a comprehensive land policy to address these many challenges. There had been progress in relocating those who had been affected by evictions. The Government was facilitating the resettlement process through the construction of new houses and was working hard to ensure the land policy was in place.
Actions taken to reduce maternal mortality included constructing more clinics with maternity units, and introducing theatres in rural health centres which could perform caesarian procedures. Health workers were also trained in emergency, obstetric and neonatal care, and providing ultrasound services for pregnant mothers.
The Eswatini Government was trying each year to ensure a programme on the ground for water in rural areas. Usually, before a new owner took over a property, there were engagements and an agreement was reached in advance.
Questions by a Committee Expert
SANTIAGO MANUEL FIORIO VAESKEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, asked if the 2018 education and training sector policy and the 2018 Eswatini national curriculum framework contained measurable objectives and indicators to assess their implementation and determine their impact on the education system? Had any assessments of their results been conducted since their adoption, particularly with regard to access to education, school retention and completion rates, as well as the quality of teaching?
Was civic education taught systematically and was it compulsory at all levels of education? Was there any consideration being given to incorporating specific content on human rights, State institutions, citizen participation and accountability? What measures were being taken to guarantee the academic freedom of teachers, while following the curricular standards established by the Government? What measures were adopted to ensure that students and teachers could express their opinions, participate in academic activities and organise peacefully without fear of reprisals?
The Committee had been informed of the use of the sedition and subversive activities act of 1938 and the suppression of terrorism act of 2008 against student activists, and had received information concerning the case of Colani Maseko, President of the National Students' Union. Could information be provided on the investigations or proceedings undertaken in relation to these events? What safeguards were in place to prevent the application of criminal legislation from unduly restricting academic freedom and student participation?
What were the State’s plans and expected timeline for progressively expanding free and compulsory basic education, at least until the completion of nine years of schooling? What mechanisms were in place to ensure that the indirect costs of schooling did not prevent children from accessing or remaining in the education system?
What were the enrolment, retention, dropout and completion rates in secondary education? What results had been achieved through the measures adopted, and what additional actions did the State intend to implement to reduce inequalities in access to secondary education, particularly among children from low-income households and rural communities? Could the State provide updated information on the budgetary resources allocated to primary and secondary education, including the actual execution of funds earmarked for rural schools and the most disadvantaged communities? What mechanisms were in place to assess whether educational subsidies, school feeding programmes and assistance for uniforms and teaching materials were sufficient to prevent schooling costs from causing absenteeism or school dropout?
Could information be provided on the implementation of the policy and guidelines for the prevention and management of learner pregnancy? What measures were being taken to prevent school dropout associated with child marriage and to ensure that married or pregnant girls could continue or resume their education on an equal basis?
Could information be provided on the degree of implementation of the national arts and culture policy 2023–2028? What measures had been adopted to ensure that cultural initiatives and programmes were equally accessible to rural communities, women, persons with disabilities and young people?
The Committee had received information about customary practices and gender inequalities that restricted women's participation in community and cultural life. What legislative, administrative and community-based measures had the State adopted to prevent and eliminate customary practices that restricted the participation of widowed women in cultural events, community activities and other areas of public life? How did the State ensure that the promotion and preservation of cultural traditions were carried out in a manner compatible with the principles of equality and non-discrimination and with the rights recognised under the Covenant?
The Committee had received information about certain traditional practices, including kwendzisa and inhlanti, which could facilitate child marriages and affect girls' autonomy and development opportunities. What measures had the State adopted to prevent traditional practices and customary authority structures from legitimising or perpetuating situations of child marriage, subordination or discrimination against girls and women? What mechanisms were in place to ensure that women and girls could freely participate in cultural practices and celebrations?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said grade zero in Eswatini was currently not free, as it was not covered under the free primary school education. Parents paid tuition, which went to the teacher’s salary. Between 2024 and 2025, the primary enrolment rate rose to more than 234,000 students. The primary reason for school dropouts was relocation and academic discouragement, among other factors. The school enrolment rates had increased between 2024 and 2025. The dropout rate had been steadily increasing in the last few years, with more girls dropping out. While the State had a programme for assisting pregnant mothers, there was no data on their reintegration. Pregnant learners were permitted to take time off to care for their children before returning to their studies.
The Government had introduced the life skills programme which trained teachers and health officers on how to assess learners. The Government was advocating for a standardising of secondary school fees and was providing payment for the school fees of around 600 learners.
There were no pending prosecutions of a teacher or a student leader under the acts mentioned by the Committee. A pending suit was currently before the courts, but it had not yet been brought forward for trial.
Eswatini acknowledged that culture evolved over generations. The cultural practices of kwendzisa and inhlanti were no longer in practice in the country, and there had been no reported cases or media publications around such acts. This had come as a result of the enactment of laws which specifically criminalised child marriage. There had been strong advocacy targeting different stakeholders who were custodians of culture, as well as through sensitisation forums.
Traditionally, women had not been allowed to move around following the death of their spouse and while in mourning. Now in current practice, women had the right to move around, and the relevant institutions now required the direct presence of the widow in proceedings. Widows now had an option to choose to take on the black mourning gowns, or to mourn in different ways. They were not forced to undergo a cultural practice with which they did not agree.
Enrolments were lower at the secondary school level as it was not State funded. Currently, subsidising school fees was not feasible or sustainable considering the country’s fiscal constraints. The State party wished to scale-up subsidised education. Free meals were provided for students at the secondary level, as well as dignity packs, to retain learners within the education system.
Eswatini had undertaken curriculum and textbook reforms to ensure the curriculum reflected the principles of non-discrimination. Inclusive narratives had been introduced into textbooks, which highlighted Eswatini’s cultural diversity, as well as gender sensitive materials. Teacher training programmes were administered periodically to enforce these reforms. Professional development workshops emphasised the use of inclusive pedagogy and the use of inclusive principles in classrooms. Eswatini had established several cultural institutions to foster intercultural tolerance, including the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs. Another department organised festivals and places for cultural exchanges, bringing communities together to celebrate shared values.
Questions by a Committee Expert
SANTIAGO MANUEL FIORIO VAESKEN, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, asked what costs families were required to bear for pre-primary school education? Could information be provided on effective coverage of inclusive education, including schools with inclusive infrastructure, and the availability of teachers with specialised training? What results had been achieved through the four inclusive schools mentioned in the report?
Could the State clarify whether a lack of documentation could prevent or delay the enrolment of children in the education system? What specific procedures were in place to ensure undocumented children could effectively exercise their right to education? The Committee had received information on ongoing discrimination and sexual harassment in schools, including teachers requesting sexual favours from female students. What specific measures had been adopted to prevent, investigate and sanction bullying in educational institutions? Were there confidential mechanisms for submitting complaints and to protect against possible reprisals? Could data be provided on the complaints received, as well as investigations carried out, and training provided to staff?
What results were achieved through the teacher reform initiative? Was there data on the availability of trained teaching staff in rural areas? Could information be provided on the salaries of teachers in Eswatini? Were they competitive? How did they compare with the average wage in the country? Was there a teacher progression plan?
The Committee had received information that indicated that certain sectors of the youth were being marginalised from public participation opportunities. What measures had the State adopted to promote the effective participation of young people in cultural production and decision making in cultural polices?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said a national grade zero curriculum had been produced. More than 19,000 learners benefitted from this space and 368 teachers had been trained on the curriculum. Competency-based education sought to improve the efficiency of learners.
Refugee children were allowed access to classes, meaning their right to education was not infringed. The Government had a dedicated toll-free line which any learner or stakeholder could call and report any issues, which would then be investigated. Investigations were guaranteed to be confidential.
Management audits were carried out every five years, including a salary review for all public servants. Employees who were not happy with the outcome of the salary review had the right to appeal. The census asked people whether they identified as belonging to indigenous or tribal groups. None of the 2017 respondents identified as belonging to these groups, leading to the conclusion that Eswatini was largely homogenous, with the majority of the population identifying as AmaSwati.
Measures had been implemented to reduce dropouts in the school system, through addressing financial barriers, with grants provided to primary and secondary school learners. The Government conducted the education analysis, which provided information on the household cost of education. All teachers in Eswatini who taught in inclusive education had undergone special training, with some benefitting from training outside the country to ensure they could support students with special needs. If parents decided they were taking their child to a mainstream school, it would be ensured that there was a teacher there who could support the learner.
Closing Statements
ASRAF ALLY CAUNHYE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, thanked Eswatini for the discussions which had been enriching and stimulating. The Committee expressed gratitude to the delegation members for their active participation, civil society organizations, and all those who had made the dialogue possible.
DORCAS N. DLAMINI, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Eswatini and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the constructive engagement, as well as partners for their financial support. The Government of Eswatini looked to the outcome of the review with optimism and would continue to take steps to ensure the full implementation of the Covenant.
PREETI SARAN, Committee Chair, thanked Eswatini for its participation in the constructive dialogue and wished the members of the delegation a safe journey home.
___________
Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
CESCR26.008E