…to combat GBV
Moroke Sekoboto
THE Vodacom Lesotho social investment arm, Vodacom Foundation, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Lesotho have sealed a three-year strategic partnership intended to significantly intensify efforts to combat the pervasive issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the country.
The collaboration, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week at Vodacom Park, comes at a critical time for Lesotho, which faces an alarming prevalence of GBV, with a staggering 86 percent of women reported to have experienced such violence.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vodacom Lesotho Chief Executive Officer, Mohale Ralebitso, underscored the profound social impact of GBV.
“The alarming prevalence of gender-based violence, impacting an egregious 86 percent of women in Lesotho, represents a severe challenge to our national development and social fabric. Tackling GBV demands a unified front and a concerted, multi-sectoral effort. This partnership with UNFPA Lesotho is a testimony to our shared commitment to addressing this crisis holistically, from prevention to survivor support.”
Mr Ralebitso further articulated the partnership’s comprehensive approach to empowering survivors of GBV.
“Our focus extends from robust preventative measures within communities, fostering an environment where perpetrators are held accountable and women are empowered to speak out, to providing comprehensive support for survivors and their children, enabling them to reclaim their lives and reintegrate into society. We urge every Mosotho to treat GBV with the gravity it deserves, reporting incidents as they would any other crime to ensure justice and protection.”
The Foundation’s Chairperson, John Matlosa, emphasised its enduring commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
“Our existing initiatives, including logistical and financial support for GBV safety homes in the north of the country, are now significantly amplified through this strategic collaboration with UNFPA. We are immensely grateful to UNFPA for joining forces to exponentially amplify our collective fight against GBV.”
For his part, UNFPA Country Representative to Lesotho, John Kennedy Mosoti, reiterated the imperative for decisive, collaborative action against GBV.
“Gender-based violence transcends socio-economic boundaries, affecting every stratum of society. Its eradication requires a firm, unified response from all stakeholders, regardless of status or wealth. We are grateful to Vodacom Lesotho for stepping forward. Its leadership demonstrates the crucial role the private sector must play in driving social change and setting a precedent for other corporations,” Mr Mosoti said.
He further urged media partners to continue their vital role in raising awareness and advocating for a safer Lesotho. Mr Mosoti stated that their collective aim is to forge a country where every woman and girl can live free from fear and realise their full potential without the shadow of violence.
The comprehensive three-year MoU outlines a strategic framework designed to address GBV through the provision of safe environments for survivors and their dependents, survivor-centred and multisectoral care services, strengthened partnerships and coordination among stakeholders, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, as well as gender equality advocacy and human rights promotion across the country.
This strategic alliance between the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation and UNFPA represents a profoundly significant stride towards building a safer, more equitable Lesotho. It exemplifies the power of cross-sectoral partnerships in catalysing meaningful and sustainable change in the national fight against gender-based violence.
