RIGHTS, JUSTICE, ACTION FOR ALL BASOTHO WOMEN AND GIRLS CELEBRATION
The Government of Lesotho together with UNFPA, Vodacom Lesotho Foundation and other partners held and celebrated International Women’s day in Maseru, Lesotho. The theme of this celebration was “Rights, Justice and Action for all Basotho Women and Girls”. This theme called for action to dismantle the structural barriers to equal justice, discriminatory laws, weak legal protections as well as harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.
International women’s day serves as a global benchmark for assessing the progress of gender equality and honoring the socio-economic and political achievements of women. On the other hand, this day is meant to reflect on what still needs to be done to address the never-ending inequalities such as the gender pay gap, gender based violence and unequal access to resources.
In attendance during these celebrations were Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso, the Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Minster of Gender, Youth and Social Development, UN Residence Coordinator in Lesotho, UNFPA Resident Representative (a.i) for Lesotho, UNDP Residence in Lesotho, Head of Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, Civil Society, Academia, Private Sector, NGO’s and the different Government Ministries.
The first speech of the day was delivered by Mr. Tsepo Ntaopane from Vodacom Lesotho Foundation. Mr. Ntaopane reaffirmed his foundations’ continued support and commitment to the Government of Lesotho and its partners to empower Basotho women and girls though advancing gender equality. He stressed the importance of using technology to drive educational programmes that keep young girls at schools and to promote their dignity and economic inclusion of rural women. Gender based violence which is a huge concern for the country was also one of the issues that Vodacom Lesotho Foundation highlighted as needing collective action to address.
The opening remarks were conveyed by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Honorable Pitso Lesaoana.
The Minister invited the audience to think of a society where women and girls have access to resources, to re think Lesotho with reduced violence, where acts of abuse are reported and protection of human rights is guaranteed, to imagine Lesotho where women are empowered to make informed decisions about their lives, where they participate and contribute to the country’s economic development. The Minister indicted all these as fundamental rights and that every woman and girl should have access to justice and the need for inclusive policies that empower and protect women and girls. The Honorable Minister concluded by stressing that gender equality is not just a woman’s issue, urging men and boys to stand as partners in fighting for equality.
The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, Taija Kontinen-Sharp, speaking after the Minister of Gender, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country.
She indicated that these celebrations are part of a broader, sustained effort by the UN to work with local government and partners to promote inclusive development and eliminate barriers for women in Lesotho. Her remarks also emphasized the need for translating policies that promote gender equality into concreate actions leading to improvement in the lives of both women and girls when such commitments are implemented. The Residence Coordinator finished off by reminding the audience that women and girls empowerment in Lesotho remains a collective ambition for all partners as they look towards 2023 and the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 5.
After the speeches, the attention moved to a panel discussion which was moderated by UNFPA Representative to Lesotho; Mr. John Kennedy Mosoti. The panelists were seasoned women leaders in their different careers. These were: The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs. Mathlohonolofatso Mosena; UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Jacqueline Olweya; Executive Head of HR at Vodacom Lesotho, Ms. Moliehi Makhetha, Chairperson of Lesotho Disability Advisory Council, Mrs. Matšepiso Mokhomoreng and Dr. Mamoeketsi Ntho, an academic, gender and social inclusion expert.
The discussions were centered on three themes: Rights & Justice (Policy to Action), Give to Gain (Empowerment & Economics) and Leadership & Inclusion.
It was during these celebrations where six gender equality champions were recognized and given awards. These women have been actively engaged in advancing gender equality initiatives across the country. These champions were Ms. Mathe Masupha, Ms. Mpati Kukame, Ms. Refiloehape Sesinyi, Mrs. ‘Mats’episo Mokhoromeng , Ms. Nthabeleng Mabitle and Ms. Matšeliso Lemenoane.
The closing remarks for these celebrations were given by the Deputy Prime Minister, her Honorable Justice Nthomeng Majara.
The Deputy Prime Minister thanked everyone who made the celebrations such a success and pointed out that this day serves as a moment of reflection and an important milestone for assessing progress achieved by all partners in addressing women and girl’s rights in Lesotho. She indicated that the Government of Lesotho is still committed to continue raising awareness on the rights of women and girls, to promoting peace and inclusive governance. She emphasized the urgent need to address the economic cost of gender-based violence (GBV), which costs Lesotho approximately M1.9 billion annually in economic losses due to reduced productivity and high healthcare costs. She noted with sadness that women’s rights are continued to be abused, ignored and neglected while the system of patriarchy persists and undermines the hard earned gains. The prevalence of organized child marriages is another big elephant facing the Government and its partner’s in the quest to stop violence and abuse against women and girls.
The Prime Minster also spoke about the existence of human rights frameworks that advance gender equality but emphasized the need for more action to ensure that they serve the purpose they were intended for. She applauded the women who received awards and encouraged them to continue being the champions of women and girl’s rights in their communities and to also encouraged others to join in addressing the surge in gender based violence.
She concluded by calling for a coordinated, integrated approach to strengthen the rule of law and secure women’s rights and urged all partners present and absent to empower young women and girls as they are the future leaders of Lesotho.
