‘WOMEN SEXUALLY STARVING US’

MBABANE – ‘Women are sexually starving us under the pretext of the SODV.’

This is one submission made by some men when articulating the provisions of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act. Interviewed men first shared that as far as they were concerned, the Tinkhunda System of governance provided that people should have a say in laws before they were passed. The system was structured in a way that every liSwati should contribute in the passing and amendment of laws though their representatives whom they elect to represent them in Parliament. Ideally, MPs are expected to inform constituents about any Bill that is subject to debate so that they could make submissions before a committee which is set up in Parliament.

However, a majority of emaSwati seem to have missed the opportunity to make their submissions before the committee before the SODV Bill was passed into law.  As a result, some people especially men, felt that they were neglected and that the law was only passed by the MPs of the 10th Parliament in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

Bothered

A large number of men have been calling the newsroom, claiming that none of the MPs of the 10th Parliament bothered taking the Bill to the constituents so that they could make their contributions. They further claimed that they were not informed about the opportunity to make submissions before the Bill was passed into law. “We would have submitted that cultural aspects should be considered when dealing with the Act. Seemingly, the SODV Act has surpassed our culture and we are bitter about that,” said a caller from northern Hhohho. The caller, who preferred anonymity, said the new law had made life difficult for men to the extent that some regret being in marriage. He made an example that the law had given women a leeway to sexually starve their husbands under the pretext of rights.

“Even though I may sound folly, it is painful to be denied sexual intercourse by someone whom you fully support after paying lobola. This thing is real and it has affected many men since the enactment of the Act. (Kubuhlungu kabi kutsi utawulobola umfati phindze umondle bese yena sewuyakogodlela uma sekumele akwembatsise ingubo),” said the caller.

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