The people of Ha Khabo came in droves to the commemoration of World Population Day which was held at Makhobalo High School, Ha Khabo in Leribe district recently. The commemoration began with a march by community members who were holding placards bearing messages on the need to advance gender equality, the importance of women and girls’ choices to be respected and their voices to be heard.
The highlight of the ceremony was a dialogue in which women and girls conversed on challenges they faced such as early and unintended pregnancies, child marriage and their sexual and reproductive health and rights. This was followed by pledges by men who committed to, among others, support and allow women to access sexual and reproductive health services including family planning. They also pledged to never to marry off their young girls and to fully involve women on matters that affect them.
Speaking at the occasion, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund Officer in Charge to Lesotho Mr Richard Delate reiterated the organizations’ determination to see the fulfillment of the issues that were raised. “As UNFPA, we cannot sleep lightly as long as women die during pregnancy and childbirth in Lesotho, and neither can we sleep lightly as long as teenage girls become pregnant and infected by HIV,” he stated.
He said UNFPA is committed to continue working with other United Nations agencies and the Government of Lesotho to support what had been discussed. “We need to act on the pledges to make women and girls’ voices, as well as the attainment of their rights a reality,” he emphasized.
Following a pledge made by the Chief of the area to provide space for further discussion on gender equality and the rights of women and girls during meetings and public gatherings, the Officer in Charge commended the Chief saying change starts from one village. “What I see is that change will come from this village regarding uplifting the lives of women and girls in Lesotho.”
He said World Population Day is about committing to make the rights of women and girls respected as was done 30 years ago during the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) through its Programme of Action. He as thus stressed on the need for Lesotho to turn the numbers on maternal mortality (619/100 000 live births, according to Lesotho Housing and Population Census, 2016) around as Lesotho is second highest among countries in Southern Africa in maternal deaths.
He also emphasized the importance of also turning the Gender Based Violence (GBV) numbers around saying the high number of GBV cases affects the country economically. Lesotho has one of the highest incidences of sexual and gender-based violence in the world. According to the World Population Review 2022 report, 86% of Basotho women have experienced GBV in their lifetime.
The UN Resident Coordinator Ms Amanda Khozi Mukwashi who was also present, underscored the importance of gender equality saying, “I want to be able to see young girls thriving and being educated. I want to be able to see women accessing maternal health care and services, without fear. She also urged Chiefs to be vocal and active in condemning sexual violence against women and girls in their areas, ensuring a zero tolerance approach.
At the occasion, UNFPA’s flagship report, the State of the World Population Report of 2023, titled “8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: The Case for Rights and Choices”, was also launched and the Resident Coordinator handed over the report to the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Ms ‘Malisebo ‘Mokela who received it on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Member of Parliament for Pela-T’soeu Honourable ‘Mope Khati and Ms ‘Mokela assured the attendees of government’s commitment to ensure that laws that protect women and girls against gender based violence are enacted whilst also abhorring gender inequality and child marriage.
The Child and Gender Protection Unit within the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) shared data on sexual offences which occurred at Ha Khabo area indicating that between January and April 2023 there have been 38 cases of sexual offences with 25 of the cases having been towards girls aged between 13 and 17.
During the commemoration, the community members were also offered health services such as Family Planning, COVID19 vaccination, TB and Cancer screening as well as Blood Pressure and Diabetes testing. Festivities also included singing and dancing. Ahead of the commemoration, representatives from the community were capacitated on issues relating to the theme of this year’s world population day, "Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities". The day is commemorated on the 11th of July every year to heighten advocacy and raise awareness of global population issues.
