Africa-Press – Lesotho. The European Union and the Parliament of Lesotho celebrated hosted the first session of a new initiative of the country’s legislature, Taking Parliament to the People to commemorate International Women’s Day 2023.
The hybrid event attracted over 200 participants and people from across Lesotho were also able to participate thanks to the live transmission of the event on national television and radio as well as via online sessions on the social media pages of the organising institutions.
The European Union and the Parliament of Lesotho celebrated this past 8 March, International Women’s Day 2023, the first session of the new Parliament’s initiative, Taking Parliament to the People.
While the event took place at the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in the nation’s Capital and attracted over 200 participants, people from across Lesotho participated thanks to the live transmission of the event on national television and radio as well as via online sessions on the social media pages of the organising institutions.
In its first edition, the town-hall discussion of Taking Parliament to the People reflected on actions taken by the Lesotho Government to advance the rights of women and girls in the country to present, in particular, the most recent legislation in this field.
The occasion was also used to announce the winners of a competition run by all resident Embassies and by the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator office under the banner of Ambassador for a Day. Taking Parliament to the People
In a session spearheaded by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tšepang Tšita-Mosena, Parliamentarians, representatives from different Government departments, civil society groups, the media as well as members of the public at large, unpacked two ground-breaking Acts adopted by the new Parliament to promote gender equality in Lesotho.
“With the recent enactment of the Counter-Domestic Violence Act, of 2022 and the Harmonizing of the Rights of Customary Widows with the Legal Capacity of Married Persons Act, of 2022, Lesotho is well on its way to achieving SDG 5 – achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls”, said Minister Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture and Social Development, Honourable Pitso Lesaoana.
“The first Act aims to protect the rights of all citizens in domestic relations including children, who are victims of all forms of abuse – economic, social, physical, sexual, technological, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse.
The second Act aims to enhance the economic status of the customary widows to enable them to exercise their economic and property rights in line with the provision of the Legal Capacity of Married Persons Act, 2006”, he adds.
Abridged versions of the Acts [PDF] were shared during the session to facilitate the discussion. “We found it important as Parliament to come together today to raise awareness about the legal instruments that have recently been passed that provide various protections to women and girls in Lesotho.
The Honourable Members will explain the laws for you, the custodians and beneficiaries, in order that there is a better understanding of the how legal framework operates.
Often, the laws exist, however, many people are unaware of the protections afforded to them by the law”, said Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tšepang Tšita-Mosena.
“We have partnered with the Parliament as we believe in the merits of creating opportunities for dialogue between the public and legislators”, said EU Head of Delegation, Paola Amadei.
“Legislation can make a difference and accelerate the pace to achieving gender equality and fight gender-based violence.
In the EU, for example, as a result of legislation on gender balance in corporate boards, women make 32% of the boards of listed companies – still far from parity but a major step forward”, she added.
“The adoption of the Counter Domestic Violence Bill and the Amendment to the Married Persons Bill by Lesotho’ Parliament are major milestones”, she continued.
Conversations on the day also centred on addressing existing gender gaps, specifically, the economic inequalities faced by women in Lesotho, unequal pay, the exclusion of women and girls from digital spaces and ICT facilities, and the harassment and abuse of women and girls with the use of digital technologies.
Deputy President of the Senate, Tsukutlane Au led discussions with the public regarding the protection of the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.
Civil society organizations provided technical recommendations in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, from a gender perspective. “On this day, we reflect on the progress made towards gender-equality and what still needs to be done to close the gaps”, Technology has the potential to be a force for good in the fight for gender equality.
As we enter the era of the forth industrial revolution, it is crucial that we harness the power of technology to advance gender equality”, said the Honourable Minister of Communications, Nthati Moorosi.
“Taking Parliament to the People is a crucial step in the practice of democracy. Needless to mention, Parliament represents the epitome of a people’s values, and is the embodiment of its cultural capital.
Hence, the importance of Parliament constantly rubbing shoulders with leaders in society, and seeking opportunities to habitually exchange views with them”, said the Speaker of the Parliament, Tlohang Sekhamane, in his keynote address.
“That is why the Eleventh Parliament is determined in its resolve to celebrate institutionalised days in a manner that provides Honourable Members with what is, otherwise, a rare opportunity to mingle freely with leaders of civil society and members of the media” , he added.
Key speakers at the event also included, President of the Senate, Honourable ‘Mamonaheng Mokitimi, who delivered closing remarks during the occasion, Chairperson of the Social Cluster Hon.
Mokhothu Makhalanyane, the Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus Honourable ‘Makatleho Motsoasele, the Vice Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus Honourable Dr. Pinkie Manamolela, and the Secretary of the Women’s Caucus, Senator ‘Mabataung Mokhathali.
In closing the ceremony, all the speakers and present civil society organizations were in unison and stressed that achieving equality should be at the centre of Lesotho’s development efforts and strategies if the country is to stand a chance in solving the many development challenges.
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