Pad Drive Eswatini
Commonwealth Point of Light 156. Anele Shabangu
Anele Shabangu, representing Eswatini, is a women’s rights advocate whose #paddrive initiative has led to the donation of over 1,000 sanitary products for hundreds of vulnerable women and girls.
Anele also founded ‘BAWSS Lady’, an initiative to support abused vulnerable women and girls and provide a platform for raising awareness, which includes running an annual educational conference on gender-based violence and other important social issues.
John Lindfield MBE, UK High Commissioner to Eswatini, said:
“I am absolutely delighted for Anele Shabangu and her organisation BAWSS Lady, promoting women’s empowerment, being selected for the Commonwealth Points of Light Queen’s Award. What an amazing achievement for Anele and for Eswatini – congratulations!”
Anele said:
“I am honoured to receive such recognition for our efforts to empower young girls. The country may face many challenges, but as citizens we can make individual decisions to contribute to the betterment of others. Our sanitary pads campaign may seem like a humble effort but it is vital in ensuring that we realise our goal of ensuring dignity for all girls, particularly those in the rural areas. My philosophy in life is that the comeback is always stronger than the setback.”