Moroke Sekoboto
UNICEF has reaffirmed its commitment to help Lesotho fight stigmas facing children in the country.
UNICEF already helps many children faced with poverty, malnutrition, limited access to education and healthcare in Lesotho.
The UN agency signed its new Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2024-2028 with the government and civil society organizations in Maseru yesterday.
UNICEF Country Representative, Deepark Bhaskaran, said despite all the progress recorded hitherto, they were still confronted with the sobering reality of a plethora of challenges faced by children around the country.
They would continue doing all they can to alleviate the challenges.
“I am deeply honoured to stand before you today as we embark on a collective journey to ensure a brighter future for the children of Lesotho. Our presence underscores our shared commitment to the well-being and rights of every child in this beautiful nation,” Mr Bhaskaran said.
“I am happy to launch the first annual planning process for the new country programme for UNICEF and its partners for the period 2024-2028. The country programme maintains a life-cycle-based approach to address child and adolescent challenges comprehensively.
“The Country Programme has three components to achieve the planned results: a) Children in their first decade, b) Children in their second decade, and c) Social Policy.
“The year 2024 holds immense significance for us. It presents us with an opportunity to chart a new course, redefine our priorities, and redouble our efforts in creating a more equitable and inclusive society for our children.
“Within this context, we have formulated the 2024 work plan—a roadmap that outlines our collective aspirations, objectives, and strategies for addressing the pressing needs of our children,” Mr Bhaskaran added.
Mr Bhaskaran said central to their workplan was the principle of collaboration.
“We recognise that no single entity can address the multifaceted challenges facing our children alone. Only through partnership, with government agencies, departments, NGOs, private sector and communities that we can hope to effect meaningful change,” Mr Bhaskaran said.
He said their work was anchored on evidence-based intervention strategies that have been proven effective in improving the lives of children elswhere.
“From expanding access to quality education and healthcare services to strengthening nutrition programs and child protection mechanisms, our objectives are clear, and our resolution is unwavering.”
“However, let us not forget the importance of community engagement and participation. The success of our endeavours hinges upon the active involvement of the communities we serve. By empowering local stakeholders, we ensure the sustainability and relevance of our interventions long into the future.”
He urged the participants to be mindful of the importance of monitoring and evaluation. He reiterated that through rigorous data collection and analysis, they could track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions.
“Accountability must be our watchword, ensuring that every resource entrusted to us is used effectively and efficiently. Yet, even as we speak of plans and strategies, let us not lose sight of the human faces behind the statistics—the children whose futures hang in the balance.”
For his Part, Ministry of Education Principal Secretary, Ratṧiu Majara, said the gathering signified the collective commitment to ensuring the rights and welfare of every child in the nation.
Mr Majara said they stood at a pivotal moment, poised to make a lasting impact on children’s lives. He said the year 2024 held immense significance for Basotho as it marked a new chapter in their journey towards creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for young citizens.
“Our work plan for this year serves as a blueprint, a roadmap that charts our course and outlines our shared objectives and strategies. At the heart of our workplan lies the principle of inclusivity.
“Our work is grounded in evidence-based approaches — strategies that have been proven to yield tangible results in similar contexts. From expanding access to education and healthcare to addressing issues of nutrition, child protection, and social inclusion. Our objectives are clear, and our commitment is unwavering,” Mr Majara said.
