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	Swaziland Swaziland is a tiny country located between South Africa and Mozambique. Half of the land is in the hands of foreign businessmen and nearly 70% of the country lives in extreme poverty. It ranks among the least free countries in the world. Swaziland has the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in the world and, consequently, one of the lowest life expectancies. Absolute Monarchy After more than six decades of British rule, this tiny, landlocked African nation gained independence in 1968. The country is ethnically homogeneous, composed primarily of the Swazi people, members of the Bantu ... more Swaziland is a tiny country located between South Africa and Mozambique. Half of the land is in the hands of foreign businessmen and nearly 70% of the country lives in extreme poverty. It ranks among the least free countries in the world. Swaziland has the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in the world and, consequently, one of the lowest life expectancies. Absolute Monarchy After more than six decades of British rule, this tiny, landlocked African nation gained independence in 1968. The country is ethnically homogeneous, composed primarily of the Swazi people, members of the Bantu tribe. Swaziland is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies; King Mswati III has complete judicial, executive, and legislative power. According to Freedom House, an organization that monitors democracy around the world, the country ranks among the least free countries in the world (in the same category with Sudan and North Korea), with few civil liberties or political rights. In 2006, opposition parties were banned and freedom of the press was suspended, further cementing the king's power. Though political violence is limited, frustration and the desire for change are growing. Poverty and HIV/AIDS While Swaziland has the sixth highest GDP per capita in sub-Saharan Africa, most high-level economic activity and almost half the land lies in the hands of foreign businesspeople. The remaining wealth is unevenly distributed among the nearly 70% of the country living in extreme poverty and a small, corrupt elite. King Mswati III has been criticized for his big collection of luxury cars and mansions. More than half the country lives in rural areas and relies primarily on farming or herding for a living but droughts, HIV/AIDS, and poor land management have meant that many people are facing food scarcity. Local government has failed to provide adequate services to many rural areas such as clean and safe drinking water, health clinics, and funds to provide for the 100,000 AIDS orphans. Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world and its life expectancy is dropping. This is partly because of King Mswati's controversial and inadequate response to the crisis. From 2001 to 2005, his plan included prohibiting young, unmarried women from wearing pants and from shaking hands with men. Women Women in Swaziland face additional challenges. Cultural practices prevent many women from owning land. As unemployment has risen, many Swazi men have left the country to look for work, leaving women as the heads of households, responsible for feeding and raising children on their own with limited ways in which to earn a living. Swazi women also often lack sexual and reproductive rights, such as the right to refuse sex, insist on condom use, or determine the number of children they will bear. close text

Swaziland

Swaziland is a tiny country located between South Africa and Mozambique. Half of the land is in the hands of foreign businessmen and nearly 70% of the country lives in extreme poverty. It ranks among the least free countries in the world. Swaziland has the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in the world and, consequently, one of the lowest life expectancies. Absolute Monarchy After more than six decades of British rule, this tiny, landlocked African nation gained independence in 1968. The country is ethnically homogeneous, composed primarily of the Swazi people, members of the Bantu ... more

Absolute Monarchy

After more than six decades of British rule, this tiny, landlocked African nation gained independence in 1968. The country is ethnically homogeneous, composed primarily of the Swazi people, members of the Bantu tribe. Swaziland is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies; King Mswati III has complete judicial, executive, and legislative power. According to Freedom House, an organization that monitors democracy around the world, the country ranks among the least free countries in the world (in the same category with Sudan and North Korea), with few civil liberties or political rights. In 2006, opposition parties were banned and freedom of the press was suspended, further cementing the king's power. Though political violence is limited, frustration and the desire for change are growing.

Poverty and HIV/AIDS

While Swaziland has the sixth highest GDP per capita in sub-Saharan Africa, most high-level economic activity and almost half the land lies in the hands of foreign businesspeople. The remaining wealth is unevenly distributed among the nearly 70% of the country living in extreme poverty and a small, corrupt elite. King Mswati III has been criticized for his big collection of luxury cars and mansions. More than half the country lives in rural areas and relies primarily on farming or herding for a living but droughts, HIV/AIDS, and poor land management have meant that many people are facing food scarcity. Local government has failed to provide adequate services to many rural areas such as clean and safe drinking water, health clinics, and funds to provide for the 100,000 AIDS orphans. Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world and its life expectancy is dropping. This is partly because of King Mswati's controversial and inadequate response to the crisis. From 2001 to 2005, his plan included prohibiting young, unmarried women from wearing pants and from shaking hands with men.

Women

Women in Swaziland face additional challenges. Cultural practices prevent many women from owning land. As unemployment has risen, many Swazi men have left the country to look for work, leaving women as the heads of households, responsible for feeding and raising children on their own with limited ways in which to earn a living. Swazi women also often lack sexual and reproductive rights, such as the right to refuse sex, insist on condom use, or determine the number of children they will bear.

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