GENDER ACTION PLAN FOR LOCAL COUNCILS IN LERIBE DISTRICT

1 List of Acronyms AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome CBO Community Based Organisation CC Community Council CCS Community Council Secretary CGPU Child & Gender Protection Unit CRS Catholic Relief Services CSO Civil Society Organisations DA District Administrator DANIDA Danish International Development Agency DC District Council DCS District Council Secretary DGO District Gender Officer DMA Disaster Management Authority DPU District Planning Unit FIDA Federation of Women Lawyers GL Gender links GMS Gender Management System GTZ German Technical Assistance HBCSG‟s Home Based Care Support Groups IEC Independent Electoral Commission LCC Lesotho Council of Churches LEC Lesotho Electricity Cooperation LPPA Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association LRC Lesotho Red Cross MoACM Ministry of Agriculture Cooperatives & Marketing MoGYSR Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation MoHSW Ministry of Health & Social Welfare MoJHR Ministry of Justice & Human Rights MoLGC Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship MoNR Ministry of Natural Resources MoTEC Ministry of Tourism, Environment & Culture MoTI Ministry of Trade & Industry MoTT Ministry of Traffic and Transport NAC National AIDS Commission NAS National AIDS Secretariat NGO Non- Governmental Organization PEP Post Exposure Prophylaxis PHELA PHELA Health and Development Communication RWS Rural Water Supply SADC Southern African Development Community TRC Transformation Resource Centre WAD Women and Development WASA Water and Sewerage Authority WFP World Food Programme WID Women In Development WLSA Women and Law in Southern Africa WV World Vision

2 Summary This action plan is the first of ten gender action plans to be developed by the Lesotho local authorities in an endeavour to mainstream gender into local government work. It is an end product of the gender action plan workshop that was held from the 25-27 August, 2008 at Pitseng, Leribe. This follows the launch of the study, At the Coalface, Gender and Local Government that took place on the 17th September, 2007 at the National Convention Centre, Maseru. The study was launched by The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Mr Makalo Theko who emphasised in his official speech, the importance of recognising gender dynamics at all levels of governance.

The study found out that at 58%, Lesotho has the highest proportion of women in local government in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). A key conclusion of the study was the more need to be done to systematically mainstream gender considerations into the work of local government including providing the necessary support to ensure an enabling environment within which women can participate effectively.

Following the book launch, a gender strategy workshop was conducted at Thaba-Bosiu which brought together chairpersons, councillors and secretaries from district and community councils as well as district gender officers and officials from the Ministries of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation and Local Government and Chieftainship. The participants contributed remarkably in the development of gender strategy. The Deputy Principal Secretary of Local Government Mr Ntai Makoetje applauded efforts exerted by all stakeholders in promoting gender in the local government. These events were organised by Gender Links and Women and Law in Southern Africa in partnership with the District Councils and the two Ministries aforementioned.

In November 2007 the district gender officers and a representative from the Ministry of Gender joined a Training of Trainers workshop that was held in Johannesburg South Africa. At this workshop participants adapted and developed the country specific training manual to be used to roll-out gender action plans in all districts of Lesotho.

Background to the region Leribe is one the ten administrative regions of Lesotho and it constitutes an area of 2,828 km². It is located in the northwest site of the country and borders on the Free State Province of South Africa. Domestically, the district borders with Butha-Buthe, Berea, Mokhotlong and the Thaba-Tseka districts.

According to the 2006 Lesotho Census of the Population and Housing-Preliminary Results Report, Leribe has an estimated population of 298,352 out of 1,880,661 overall national population. This constitutes 15.9% of the total population. The report shows that there are 145,683 (49%) males and 152,669 (51%) females in this area. Similarly to the other nine districts, Leribe is headed by the District Administrator and is divided into urban, semi-urban and rural peripheries. It has two camp towns known as Hlotse and Maputsoe. These towns host several government departments and are a major public service points.

3 The Map of Lesotho by Districts:

Letter 3 represents the district of Leribe

Economy The economic activities in this region are mainly subsistence farming and livestock rearing. The people of Leribe are privileged with vast, rich grazing lands in the higher altitudes. Like the rest of the country, Leribe relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa despite the fact that a number of mine workers has declined steadily in the past several years. However, the garment production industry growth has created employment opportunities significantly in many the years.

HIV and AIDS Lesotho is one of the countries struggling to cope with the HIV and AIDS in the region. More than 23 % of the population are HIV positive and there are over 110,000 AIDS orphans.

In 2003, King Letsie III declared HIV and AIDS a national disaster and the government of Lesotho then introduced an innovative strategy called The “Know your status campaign” in 2004. The aim of the campaign was to increase HIV testing, raise awareness and reduce stigma for the whole population. By 2005, National AIDS Commission and National AIDS Secretariat were established to coordinate existing strategies for tackling the AIDS epidemic in the country. In addition, the National AIDS Policy and Strategic Plan for 2006-2011 were developed to guide efforts on AIDS.

Considering that more than half of the country‟s population live in poverty, declining productivity as a result of HIV and AIDS remains a threat to the overall survival of the country. HIV has had a particular impact on women. According to the 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey, Leribe has HIV prevalence of 29.7 % of which 30.6% are women and 28.3% are men.

Local government The local government is comprised of 18 community councils whose chairpersons and deputies sit in the district council. The district council secretary provides administrative support in the district council while community council secretaries play a similar role within community councils. There are 206 local councillors in total, 109 of which are

4 women and 97 are men and as shown in the table below, women make up 52.9% of all local councillors in all community councils, this is 5% lower than the national figure of 58%.

Percentage of women in the 18 community councils of Leribe

Total number of No. of female No. of male Community Council & Code Councillors Councillors Councillors Limamarela C01 11 8 3 Mphorosane C02 11 5 6 Seshote C03 11 7 4 Matlameng C05 10 5 5 Pitseng C05 13 6 7 Motati C06 11 6 5 Fenyane C07 11 7 4 Serupane C08 11 8 3 Malaoaneng C09 11 8 3 Menkhoaneng C10 11 3 8 Maisa-Phoka C11 11 6 5 Sephokong C12 13 6 7 Linare C13 11 5 6 Litjotjela C14 13 7 6 Khomokhoana C15 11 8 3 Hleoheng C16 13 5 8 Manka C17 13 4 9 Tsoeli-Tsoeli C18 10 5 5 Total 206 109 97 Percentage of women councillors in the 18 community councils: 52.9% Source: The District Council, Leribe

References: District Council, Leribe 2006 Lesotho Census of Population and Housing Preliminary Results Report 2002 Lesotho Core Welfare Indicators Questionnaire CWIQ National Survey 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey www.state.govt/r/pa/ei/bgn/2831.htm

5 Priority Action Areas

Short term (September 2008-February, 2009)

Adoption and implementation Distribution of action plan among councils. Stakeholder meeting at a district level to ensure by-in and to strategise on the implementation process and sharing of responsibilities. Introduce the plan to all councillors in the next council meeting. Disseminate and popularize the Action Plan in the 18 constituencies. The District Council (DC) in collaboration with District Gender Officer (DGO) will coordinate adoption and implementation of the Action Plan as well as to make follow-ups.

Gender Management Systems Establish the district gender steering committee that will be responsible for promoting and monitoring gender related programming.

Governance Regularly encourage nomination and voting for women candidate into leadership positions within councils. Council sittings to be used as a platform for discussion on the same issue. Hold public gatherings (lipitso) to encourage women participation in politics. In this way, women may stand as candidates in large numbers in the next national and local government elections.

Participation Conduct public meetings to mobilise men and create awareness on issues of gender equality. Develop and disseminate Sesotho information and material on gender equality.

Gender Based Violence Localise and publicise The National Action Plan to end gender based violence. Organise campaigns and public gatherings on GBV to further create awareness and educate people on the impact of violence in society. 16 Days of Activism to end gender violence was identified as a starting point for full local government involvement. Organise marches during the 16 Days of Activism against GBV for continued public sensitization. Follow-up on reported cases of violence and gather sex disaggregated data. Raise awareness on the Sexual Offences Act and Legal Capacity of Married Persons Act so as to promote rights knowledge. Strengthen village policing to ensure public safety at danger points within localities.

Procurement Dialogue with women councillors on starting self-reliance community projects. Conduct needs assessment for women and initiate social projects.

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Health and environment Place garbage bins at critical public places.

HIV and AIDS Prevention Adopt the National HIV and AIDS policy developed by NAC into the work of local councils.

Transport Inclusive community dialogue on public transport safety. Register night transport services and issue operational permits.

Medium -long term (February, 2009 onwards)

Governance Conduct public gatherings on election campaigning. Participation Raise awareness on the importance of shared leadership responsibilities and lobby different political parties. Hold community dialogues on chieftaincy succession.

Communication Training on communication and message creation.

Gender Based Violence Train chiefs on capturing data on reported cases of violence. Advocate for a one stop service centre in the district. Establish a temporary shelter. Erect one counselling service point in every locality.

Education Increase the number of pre-schools per locality.

Safety and emergency services Train women groups on handling potential disasters.

Business Support Hold public gatherings to encourage women to participate in the businesses. Training for women on finance and business management.

Electricity Hold dialogues to negotiate installation rates for water and electricity for previous disadvantaged women. Install street lights at danger spots.

7 GENDER ACTION PLAN FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE DISTRICT OF LERIBE

STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS I. GOVERNANCE Representation To ensure that women Encourage Chairpersons Women councillors Equal representation of Sept. 2008 are equally represented nomination and (sittings used as are rarely voted into men and women in each -Ongoing in council leadership voting for women platform) positions of of council positions candidates leadership Hold public Council Women‟s political Over 50% increase in the 2008-2010 meetings (lipitso) committees, local participation is largely number of women to encourage chiefs, DGO, recruiting and participating at decision women‟s political parties‟ mobilising people making structures within participation in leadership throughout election political parties politics campaigns To strengthen women‟s Conduct public DC, DGO, social There are ongoing More than 50% women to 2009-2010 ability to compete in gatherings on services programmes on compete in the next elections election committees, WLSA, election campaigns National and local campaigning TRC, LCN by TRC government elections Participation To increase women‟s Raise awareness MP‟s from the Political party Equal representation of 2009-2010 participation in political on the importance district, political leadership is male men and women in the party leadership of shared party leadership, dominated leadership of political leadership DC, DGO, TRC parties responsibilities To empower female Organise DGO,DCS,WLSA No separate training 1 leadership training per 2009-2010 elected officials leadership training for female councillors community council workshops To empower men on Conduct public Social services Resistance to issues 90% of men to 2008-2010 gender issues and gatherings to committees, DCS, of gender understand and mobilise their support create awareness CC‟s, appreciate issues of

8 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS gender To increase the number Hold community Community No women Law reform on chieftaincy 2009-2012 of women chiefs dialogue on councils, DGO, local successors succession (spouses and or succession chiefs, department mothers to heirs) of chieftainship Public participation To promote equal Organise DC, community Public interest to 2008-2010 participation by men campaigns and councils, HBCSG, participate in social and women in social public gatherings CGPU development issues development issues on GBV To empower women Capacity building DGO,DCS,WLSA Need to capacitate Capacity building 2009-2012 councillors workshops on women councillors workshop for women leadership and councillors communication skills To educate and assure Sensitise the CC‟s, DGO, WLSA, Misinformation about Change of attitudes on 2009-2012 men that issues of public and FIDA issues of gender gender issues at village gender equality are not disseminate equality level a threat information on gender Communication To ensure that council Training on Director at the Issues of gender are Gender sensitive materials 2009 – publications do not communication department of misrepresented ongoing perpetuate gender and messaging gender, WLSA, stereotypes GEMSA II. GENDER SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES Gender Based Violence To develop stakeholder Localise and DC, DGO, The plan not yet Adoption of the plan by Oct. 2008 strategies for an publicise The community public stakeholders effective collaboration National Plan of councils, CGPU

9 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS Action on gender violence Follow-up on DCS, CC‟s, local Poor follow-up Sex disaggregated data 2008-2009 reported cases of chiefs, HBCSG on GBV violence CGPU Training of DC, DGO, WLSA, Lack of documented Documented GBV data 2009 services providers PHELA data on GBV for improved service Raise awareness Poor service delivery Locally arranged activities on issues of by some police during the 16 Days of violence officials Activism against GBV To educate communities Raise awareness DGO, CGPU, WLSA, Lack of information Publicity of both the Acts 2008-2009 on gender violence on the Sexual FIDA by perpetrators and which is rooted in Offences Act and victims of violence unequal power relations Legal Capacity of and is „„hidden‟‟ despite Married Persons being one of the major Act challenges facing Organise marches DC, community Organised marches at Oct. 2008 councils during the 16 councils, CGPU, district and local level Days of Activism CBO‟s for sensitization To obtain reliable Train chiefs on DC, DGO, WLSA, No statistical data on Statistics to be obtained 2009 - statistics on gender data capturing of PHELA GBV at village level first hand from village ongoing based violence GBV cases chiefs To educate police, Hold awareness DC, DGO, WLSA, Schools, police, chiefs Active involvement of this 2009 teachers, pastors and workshops PHELA and churches less sectors chiefs on GBV targeted To make it easy for Advocate for a one DC, DGO, CGPU, Victims of GVB One stop service centre women to report stop service centre community health moved from pillar to

10 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS violence in the district workers, CBO‟s, post To ensure safety in the Strengthen village Social services Safer streets especially for ongoing villages esp. in the dark policing committees, police factory workers night services To establish places of Set up a DC, department of No shelter available temporary shelter 2009-2015 safety for victims of temporary shelter health violence To establish counselling Erect 1 counselling DC, department of Few counselling New counselling points 2009-2015 service points for victims service point in health points at government of violence every locality health centres To provide information Develop and DC, DGO, Developed material 2008- on where survivors of disseminate department of ongoing GBV can get help Sesotho health information provision material Education To ensure that child Increase the DC, department of New pre-school per 2009-2013 care facilities are number of pre- education locality affordable and schools per locality accessible so that women are free to participate in economic activities III. GENDER IN EXISTING PROGRAMMES Safety and emergency services To decrease the number Inform and Social services -Ongoing council 2009-2012. M16, 000 per of people affected by educate women committees, DMA, trainings convened council disasters and the general LRC by DMA public -Over 186 people received First Aid

11 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS training To raise awareness on Train women DC, DMA, LRC Ongoing training Trainings conducted 2009 - M 8,000 per potential disasters groups 2015 council To facilitate equal Conduct needs DC, DPU Assessment report 2008 -2015 employment assessment and opportunities because initiate social women are projects disproportionately affected by high levels of unemployment Procurement To ensure that women Capacity building DC, department of Lack of involvement Equally access to benefits benefit equally from the trainings finance and by women in the in the procurement procurement process planning, procurement process process which they have historically been excluded from To develop gender Dialogue with DC, community Few community Gender incorporated Sep. 2008- incorporated women councillors councils, projects programmes 2009 programmes in the fight on self-reliance department of against poverty and it‟s community agriculture impact on women projects Conduct business DC, department of Ongoing community Trainings conducted trainings trade and industry, dialogue on the economic needs of the youth empowerment btw 18- 35 yrs– officer- dept. of undertook by the gender Ministry of gender

12 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS Business Support To promote women‟s Public gatherings DC, department of Department of trade More women led 2009 participation in the to encourage trade and industry in dialogue with businesses business sector where women to businesses in varies they are poorly participate in localities represented business To empower women Trainings for Department of Ministry of trade and Trainings conducted 2009-2012 with business skills women on finance trade and industry, industry has plans and business department of under way management skills finance and planning To provide support and Dialogue on DC, department of Agreement on how to 2008 equal opportunities in creating access to trade and industry, enable market access to markets markets local businesses opportunities Land allocation To ensure non- Public sensitisation DC, land allocation Legal capacity of Increased requests for 2009 discriminatory processes on the right to committees Married Persons Act plots in the land allocation land ownership supports land acquisition by women Transport To ensure safety of Community DC, public transport No clear standard Agreement on safety 2008 public transport and dialogue on public associations, procedures in standards cater for transport transport safety department of ensuring safety in the needs of women and traffic public transport children sector Water and sewage system To ensure that women Dialogue with DC, social services Lack of water supply Supply of water system at 2009-2015 most affected by lack of service providers committees, WASA in many localities reduced rates water, get the priority in receiving services at

13 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS reduced rates Electricity To ensure that women Dialogue to DC, department of Electricity not Electricity supply at 2009-2015 most affected by lack of negotiate energy and accessible in many reduced rates electricity get supply at installation rates natural resources, localities reduced rates for women LEC previous disadvantaged Health and environment To ensure that women Sensitise DC, department of On going public Communities sensitised contribute greatly in communities on tourism, gatherings issues of health and health and environment and environment environment culture, department of health Place garbage bins DC, department of Other local councils Bins available per village Ongoing at critical public health have started within places villages

Health HIV and AIDS Prevention To ensure access to Train HBCSG‟s and Department of Village health Quality health care and primary health care and village health health workers under services at primary level services workers training Education on improved health care Strategise on HIV and Adopt National DC, community National HIV and Adoption of HIV and AIDS Immediately AIDS prevention HIV and AIDS councils AIDS policy not policy measures within policy adopted communities Train men on LPPA, department NAC has allocated Public knowledge and prevention and of gender money for HIV and interest in issues of HIV

14 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS the importance of AIDS projects and AIDS testing Educate women and Create awareness DC, DGO, Ongoing „PEP‟ High demand in PEP victims of sexual during GBV department of programme by CRS services violence on „Post Campaigns health, WLSA, Exposure Prophylaxis LPPA, CRS (PEP)‟ Educate men and Public gatherings DC, department of Increased knowledge women on voluntary health testing and counselling of HIV and AIDS IV. EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENT Working conditions To increase Public dialogues to DCS, DGO, DC Spousal support to 2009-2012 representation of encourage men to committee, women councillors women employed in support their community council spouses councils To promote gender Hold dialogue with DC, department of Lack of equality policy Agreement on equality 2009 M 80,000.00 equality in the work employment labour, private in many sectors guidelines in the environment sectors sector employment processes To ensure safety of Install streets DC, DPU Unsafe streets Street lights installed 2009-2013 women working during lights along main night shifts roads Register transport Department of Night transport Legal permits to operate Oct. 2008 services operating transport, public services not regulated at night at night hours transport associations Advocate for DC, police services Toll-free number Toll-free number at police 2008 police toll-free available in the capital services, Leribe number town only

15 STRATEGIC ACTION WHO BASELINE TARGETS/ WHEN BUDGET OBJECTIVE INDICATORS V. GENDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS To form district gender Organise a DC,DGO, DCS, No gender steering District gender committee Oct. 2008 steering committee meeting btw DC CC‟s, community committee and stakeholders councils To adopt and implement Organise activities DC,DGO, DCS, Local councils not Adopt and implement the 2008 campaigns on ending during campaigns CC‟s, community active National Plan of Action to GBV against violence councils end violence VI. GENDER BUDGETING To develop gender Develop the DPU, DC, DCS Budgets not gender Sex disaggregated data to 2008 M 30 000.00 budgeting policy gender budgeting sensitive guide budgeting process guidelines Regular meeting DCS, DC, DPU, No budget Monthly reports on status 2008- for assessment of assessment meetings of funds ongoing budgets To establish gender Select gender Community councils No gender Committees responsible Nov. 2008 M 40 000.00 working committees working committees at local for gender sensitive representing councils committee council level planning in each locality from the same locality

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