Africa-Press – Lesotho. As the world marks the annual campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Soofia International School has joined the call for action, on Tuesday carrying out a town-cleaning exercise in Botha-Bothe while raising awareness on GBV.
Speaking to the agency, Mr Lebohang Mabasoa, teacher at Soofia International School, said the initiative aimed to show that everyone deserves protection from all forms of abuse while also encouraging students to take pride in keeping their environment clean.
“We want to show people that awareness can happen in many ways physically or verbally and that even selling harmful things to children, such as drugs, is also a form of abuse,” he said. “When students take part in cleaning the town, they are more likely to remember the importance of keeping it clean rather than polluting it.”
Mr. Mabasoa added that the school actively fights all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, which is increasingly common among learners.
He highlighted another prevalent form of abuse where adults lure children with money or material goods in exchange for sexual acts.
“We want our children to be brave enough to report and prevent any form of abuse, even when it happens to others who may be too afraid to speak out,” he added. The school has a counsellor who supports both victims and perpetrators, especially when the incidents involve fellow students.
Grade 10 student Miss Ts’epang Ramasimole said the “clean and care” day was important because it allowed them to contribute to saving the planet by cleaning and recycling waste. She noted that with the effects of global warming already evident, caring for the environment is more important than ever.
Ramasimole also stressed that GBV affects not only women but also men, and therefore, there is a need for inclusive awareness.
“Let us make sure that victims know they must report abuse and that people are willing to listen and help them make the right choices,” she said. She encouraged fellow students to treat others the way they wish to be treated and to be mindful of hurtful words that could cause emotional harm.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
