Africa-Press – Lesotho. With the aim to mobilise men to advocate for gender equality, inclusivity and health rights in regard to indigenous knowledge and modern systems, Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) and GEM Institute Lesotho held a dialogue with men from across the country yesterday at Thaba- Bosiu.
This 2-day dialogue is expected to end today with the expectation to review 2010 Interfaith Gender statement by Heads of Churches and an open dialogue on culture, language and faith on how they affect men and women. In her opening remarks, GEM Institute Director Mpho Letima indicated that the initiative aims to dialogue with a mass of men from different sectors in faith, taxi industry, media, education, and gender activism to establish perception of men about women and girls.
Letima said the objectives of the dialogue include among others: to stimulate reflection and discussions amongst men as well as between men and women and girls, on current notions of masculinity, to sensitize men as well as women and girls on Gender Based Violence (GBV), health rights and the benefits of positive masculinity for both men and women.
Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation Gender-Based Violence Liaison Officer Dr. Mosiuoa Ramakoele highlighted the need for renewing collective responsibility and accountability as men. He also talked about the importance of repositioning men as responsible, non-violent fatherhood, as well as manhood. Dr. Ramakoele also located the gender equality with cultural performances and speech acts, making an example of associating sweeping with women while the truth is, even men can sweep too.
He emphasized a theological perspective of fatherhood deficiency, citing men who are spiritually bound to protect their families yet some are neglecting that job and raping their daughters. One of the attendees from Maseru Regional Taxi Organization (MRTO) Lebohang Moea expressed gratitude for this dialogue.
He indicated that as Taxi Owners, they were worried why women are no more using the official taxi ranks but instead opting for pirates, they learned in this dialogue that one of the reasons is of taxi operators who verbally abuse women and this affects their profits. Moea urged for this kind of dialogues to be held at least quarterly because they are very important.
He opined that every man in this country must attend it, so that they are aware of how some cultural and social norms abuse women, how some words are abusive towards women and how some gender roles also abuse women.
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