By Tebello Moalosi
MASERU — The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Lesotho has partnered with the United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR)-Lesotho to economically empower local women and help protect their rights.
The US$40 000 (about M310 000) partnership which was marked by a celebration in Maseru on Wednesday, aims at addressing issues of gender inequality that translates into women becoming victims of sexual violence which is a “driving factor of the spread of HIV/Aids among women”.
Speaking at the launch, the MCA-Lesotho chief executive officer, Sophia Mohapi, said the Basotho nation would benefit from every woman whose potential is fulfilled and whose talents would be tapped as a result of the partnership.
“Empowering women and continuing advocacy for equitable relations between men and women at national, local and household levels will continue to be our main focus in order to achieve our goal of poverty reduction,” Mohapi said.
“MCA-Lesotho believes that it is the duty of every Mosotho to break the cycle of poverty, HIV and Aids, gender-based violence and trafficking in persons,” she said.
“We therefore seek to empower the nation by training men and women on human rights and gender equality principles so that they all contribute to the fight against challenges that hinder economic growth.”
She said the high and increasing vulnerability of women to HIV and Aids is due to social, economic and political inequalities between women and men.
“Women’s lack of empowerment, coupled with the practices that perpetuate violence against women and coercive sexual relations contribute to a more rapid spread of HIV.”
Speaking at the same occasion, US Ambassador Michele Bond said the partnership displayed the joint initiative between the US and the government of Lesotho to better the lives of Basotho.
“Both men and women must access equal opportunities,” Bond said.
Gender Minister ’Mathabiso Lepono said empowering women economically restores their dignity, decision-making ability and safety”.