Africa-Press – Lesotho. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) handed over 900 dignity kits to Disaster Management Authority (DMA) in the Prime Minister’s office that will be delivered
to the vulnerable young women and girls affected by climate change and Covid-19. Speaking at the ceremony UNFPA Representative to Lesotho Dr. Marc Derveeuw explained that the
900 dignity kits have been designed locally to help and restore the dignity of women and girls particularly in emergency situations. He added that they
contain items like sanitary napkins, brushes and soap to assist women and girls who are victims of disasters. “We have been handing them out to victims of
climate change such as drought and floods, and Covid-19 has also put an additional burden on the young girls in Lesotho,” he stated. Derveeuw extended that the situation of women and young girls is of particular concern
to the UNFPA. He added it is important to maintain the dignity of women and girls in order to ensure their decision making at community and family level
also highlighting that one of the impacts of climate change is an increase in migration. He highlighted that they have been working together with DMA for some time and
their main focus has been the situation of women and young girls through, among others the vulnerability assessment which highlight and show the situation of
women and their particular humanitarian needs. Derveew mentioned that during the past two years UNFPA has given out over 3000 dignity kits through different channels such as the Office of the First Lady for
redistribution. He further noted that Lesotho has a couple of priorities in the political agenda to the important situation of women and young girls citing the
roll out of the domestic violence law and the protection of women victims of rape. Meanwhile the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Hon. Kemiso Mosenene commended the UNFPA
for its noble gesture of restoring the dignity of the girl child. He further emphasized that his office would ensure that the dignity kits are passed on to
the most vulnerable women and girls. “Preserving dignity is essential to maintain self-esteem and confidence which is of utmost importance to cope during stressful and potentially overwhelming humanitarian situations.
Supporting women and boosting their self-esteem and confidence also assist them in providing care and protection to their children but it is of great importance to mention
that these dignity kits will also help our girls in ensuring their concentration and confidence in schools,” he stated. Mosene extended that as a result of a natural stage girls face on a monthly basis, vulnerable
girls are hit the hardest as they lack necessary kits to use during that natural period and in most cases they do not attend school properly or concentrate in class due to discomfort they suffer.
He noted that Covid-19 has even worsened the conditions which has led to more vulnerability in girls. Mosenene pointed that dignity kits will be distributed in various districts around the country identified by the DMA.
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