Women in the Diaspora hold call for Leadership and Action in Lesotho to address Gender Based Violence and Trafficking in Persons

In response to a highly publicized story of a Mosotho woman who was trafficked into South Africa by her relative and turned into a sex slave, Women domestic workers planned a forum in which they sought to raise awareness among Basotho women on the increasing prevalence of Gender Based Violence in particular Human Trafficking in Persons which seem to bear a woman’s face and to call on leadership and Government of Lesotho to concretizing action on ending all forms of violence again women. A total of 130 (125 Female, 5 Men) people attended comprising Women Parliamentarians, Diaspora Associations, Civil Society Organizations and Government Ministers.

In delivering her remarks, Hon. Matsepo Ramakoae, Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s and National Women’s Parliamentary Caucus assured participants that, “I remain committed to advocate for increased resources and to make laws. I am also an advocate and will speak up in Parliament on the need to among others amend legislation where there is a need. I am aware that the Trafficking in Persons Act needs to be amended and that the Domestic Violence bill is already in the process. You can count on my support to ensure these pieces of legislation are fast tracked.”

In her remarks the Minister of Gender, Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse shared that women were rendered vulnerable due to cultural and Traditional beliefs and implored Basotho Women to ‘’come together and do away with cultural and traditional beliefs that continue to impede progress. More importantly we must be better coordinated and ensure protection of women and girls against the organised crime of Trafficking in Persons.”

Speaking on behalf of IOM, Ms. Eriko Nishimura, Head of Office, highlighted the need to “reinvest in our protection systems. This includes child protection systems, protection systems for victims of domestic violence, and systems aimed at upholding the rights of workers. We must ensure that these are in place and have sufficient resources to meet the needs of all vulnerable people, including vulnerable migrants.’ On behalf of the diaspora, Ms. Halieo Lelosa called on Basotho in the diaspora to commit skills, resources and time to support the Government of Lesotho to combat Trafficking in Persons.

This event responds to outcome one of the Project titled “Counter Trafficking and Addressing Irregular Migration through Strengthening Border and Migration Management, Sensitization on TIP and Building Capacity of Law enforcement and Border Officials in Lesotho.’’ This Project is funded through the generous support of the Japanese Government and its people.