High Level Inaugural meeting of the Lesotho Gender and Anti GBV-Forum

Thank you to the Government of Lesotho and to the Ministry of Gender, youth, sports and recreational services for creating this space for us to come together.  Thank you also to you all for turning up. The latest World Population Review of 2022 has found that 86% of Basotho women have experienced GBV in their lifetime, with over 40% of women having experienced intimate partner violence. The country also ranks third in the world with the highest rape instances per capita and sixth highest murder rates ahead of countries at war.

These statistics are telling of the magnitude of the situation regarding gender-based violence.  Even more, behind those statistics are faces of women and girls, cries and voices unheard and lives lost or destroyed.  Behind the numbers are human stories that for the most part, remain untold.

As we come together today, from different sectors and with different mandates, let it be because we recognise that the dignity and life of every human being is sacred.  Every Basotho has the right to live their life without fear. To have the opportunity to achieve the fullness of life. Let it be because we know that on our own, we can only do so little but that together we can achieve the system wide transformation that is needed for all in Lesotho.

I would like to applaud the efforts which have been made by the government of Lesotho. I would like to particularly appreciate the Minister of Gender, whose leadership in the fight against gender-based violence has been incredibly affirming.  Thank you. And thank you to your team. We have seen progress through GBV initiatives and mainstreaming efforts as well as gaps in legislation and customary practices that perpetuate SGBV against women which are being addressed. I am sure that we will hear more as the programme progresses this morning.

I would also like to appreciate and acknowledge the  support of many international and development partners, civil society organizations, and private sector institutions, those  present and not present here today for supporting GBV efforts in Lesotho.

As we work towards achieving the SDGs in Lesotho, we know that ending violence against women and girls  will be a key driver for progress on the rest of the Sustainable development goals.

When we win the fight against GBV, we also win the fight against the high youth unemployment levels, against poverty and food insecurity and against climate change, issues which are all amplifying gender inequality and exacerbating marginalization of girls and women in our communities.

We owe it to the girls and women of this country.

We owe it to ourselves to ensure that we do all we can to make a difference.

As the UN, We stand ready to work with all of you in efforts to change our situation.  As we have discussions today, I would ask that we have at the back of our minds, questions and answers that help us to strengthen that system-wide approach – how do we harmonise and create synergy of interventions across all sectors and communities (including key populations)? How do we leverage our comparative advantages? How do we increase investment into combating GBV, thereby releasing women and girls to achieve their full potential with the social, economic and political spheres? The Lesotho Gender and Anti-GBV forum is  an opportunity to bring key actors together where we can plan together, think together, support and share knowledge, be coordinated and mutually morally accountable.

It is about forging strategic partnerships and collaboration across sectors with an end goal of eliminating Gender Based Violence in Lesotho.

Once again, allow me to the Honourable Minister of Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation (MGYSR) for your leadership and unwavering commitment to this struggle.

Kea leboha