Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation Hon. Likeleli Tampane invites the public to act against acts of Gender Based Violence (GBV). This she
said yesterday during the launch of the 16 days of activism against GBV at the Ministry’s headquarters. The days are marked from tomorrow, November 25th to December 10th.
For this year’s celebration, the country has coined this theme: Domestic violence is active in families, let us all fight it. Meanwhile the global theme is: Orange the World:
Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect. GBV forms could be sexual, physical, mental and economical. The Minister said abuse is a crime against humanity. She said she envisaged to raise awareness to the general public on the fight
against GBV as well as reporting of such cases when they happen. Also, she mentioned that the ministry will build upon strides made in the fight against
abuse. She said they will assess the policies in place which are mounted to end abuse and address the emerging challenges. Tampane said these days are also in line with
those commemorated globally which are: International Women Human Rights Defenders in November 29, World AIDS Day in December 1, International Day of Disabled Persons in December 3, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on
Violence Against Women in Canada December 6 and Human Rights Day in December 10. The Senqu No. 78 Member of Parliament (MP) also said this year the campaign comes against
the backdrop of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, which has crippled the economy and claimed many lives. The Minister attributed the Covid-19 as having contributed to the increase in numbers of
domestic violence cases owing to “depression and staying together, being what most people are not accustomed to”. Tampane highlighted that there were many
reported cases of abuse which includes rape and femicides. She said Leribe is at the forefront of the abuse cases. The Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation (MGYSR) Principal Secretary (PS)
Moliehi Moejane said GBV is a “worrisome” phenomena which ought to be eradicated. Moejane also called upon it’s uproot in communities. Director of Gender ‘Mafutho Letsatsi said Leribe had been in the forefront since inception
of the Covid-19. She said there is a need for people to know the sign language for ease of communication with its users as they are also vulnerable to abuse.
“Gender-Based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender.
It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. GBV is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue.
It is estimated that one in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime,” says the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR). The campaign advancing the course against GBV was first marked in 1991 and Lesotho joined commemorations in 2000.
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