Lesotho’s laws and policies, institutional arrangements, together with the work of human rights defenders from civil society, should be reformed and harnessed to advance women’s social and economic rights and counter economic gender-based violence and femicide.
That was the main takeaway at an online commemoration of International Women’s Day convened by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on 10 March.
The event brought together members of the judiciary, executive, civil society, private sector and academia to advance dialogue on protecting women’s economic rights and strengthening access to justice for women in Lesotho. Participants assessed Lesotho’s compliance with its international obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), particularly in relation to gender-based violence.
The central feature of the commemoration was a panel discussion under the theme “Protecting the Economic Rights of Women.” Magistrate Puseletso McPherson of the Children’s Court addressed the role of the judiciary in safeguarding the economic rights of the girl child, including access to education, inheritance, maintenance and protection from harmful practices that undermine long-term economic security.
The ICJ raised concerns that economic gender-based violence and femicide were being exacerbated by systemic delays within the justice system.
“A critically understaffed judiciary has led to significant case backlogs, delaying the delivery of justice and effective remedies for survivors of gender-based violence. Such delays weaken accountability and erode survivors’ confidence in the legal system” said Lerato C. Khutlang, ICJ Associate Legal Advisor.
Senior Inspector Petje Teke of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (CGPU) presented data on gender-based violence, highlighting the need for coordinated institutional responses. Adv. Ithabeleng Phamote, on behalf of the Law Society, addressed shortcomings in women’s participation in leadership positions and the persistent barriers limiting equal representation.
Seinoli legal Centre, through Adv. Lerato Rabatho examined the impact of development projects on women’s economic rights, measures to combat gender-based violence, and the critical role of advocacy in promoting accountability. From the private sector, Puseletso Putsoane of Vodacom Business- Women Network Forum, discussed technologically facilitated gender-based violence and its economic implications, particularly for women’s participation in digital spaces.
Adv. Mamello Makau, from the National University of Lesotho Faculty of Law shared an assessment about international and domestic legal frameworks protecting women’s economic rights and the evaluation of Lesotho’s progress in implementing these protections. The People’s Matrix further highlighted the importance of including LBTQI+ women in economic empowerment and leadership initiatives.
The commemoration included a virtual candlelight vigil to honour women who had lost their lives to gender-based violence, reinforcing collective and institutional accountability.
During the event, ICJ delivered a statement calling for an end to economic gender-based violence and femicide in Lesotho, while highlighting persistent gaps in sexual and reproductive health rights, including limited access to safe and legal abortion services.
Contact
Adv. Lerato C. Khutlang, ICJ Associate Legal Advisor, lerato.khutlang@icj.org
