Lesotho National Human Development Report 2015 Leveraging the Power of Youth to Promote Human Development Published for the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Lesotho © United Nations Development Programme, 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission. The analysis and policy recommendations of this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme, or those of the Government of Lesotho. The report is an independent publication commissioned by the UNDP. It is the fruit of a collaborative effort authored by an independent team of experts, consultants and advisors, under guidance, co-ordination and financial support by UNDP Lesotho Country Office. The cover page designs were drawn by Sekhalo Shale, a Design Student at Limkokwing University of Technology, Lesotho campus, for an NHDR cover page design competition. It is a reflection of the spirit of the youth, in silhouette and wearing Basotho hats. Lesotho National Human Development Report 2015 Leveraging the Power of Youth to Promote Human Development i Foreword Human Development Reports have been culture and educational opportunities. This, however, is commissioned and published by the United not translated into independent adulthood, hence the Nations Development Programme (UNDP) minimal progress in HDI ranking. since 1990 as intellectually independent, Despite impressive achievements in education and empirically grounded analyses of literacy rates, Lesotho is still ranked among the lowest development issues, trends, progress and human development countries, with a Youth policies. The ultimate goal of the reports is Development Index of 0.52. The challenges of poverty, dependency and skewed access to information, to help advance human development. This economic resources, diverse rural-urban divide, are also means placing as much emphasis on apparent among the youth of Lesotho. The report human development in areas of health, makes a strong case for inclusive access to social services education and the expansion of human and economic resources, promotion of innovations for development and also participatory development freedoms and choices, as on economic process to achieve satisfactory human development growth. The first global Human levels amongst the youth. The report also identifies lack Development Report of 1990 asserted that, of coordination of services that contribute to human ‘The real wealth of a nation is its people’. development as the main constraint, thus compromising gains made in other sectors. The UNDP Lesotho produced its first National Human This report has been written to encourage debate and Development Report in 1998 which focused on Human policy discussions on what further steps are needed to Security; the main findings of the report concluded that ensure that the goal of inclusive growth and enhanced many areas of Human Security remained problematic human development is achieved. It is intended for at the time. A second report, issued in 2006, focused on policy makers, development organisations, the private the Nexus of HIV, poverty and food insecurity. It also sector, media practitioners, civil society, students and highlighted Lesotho’s progress towards reaching MDGs academia. It is hoped that it will stimulate debate and at the time and assessed the country’s human engage Basotho throughout the country, as well as development status. The 2015 Human Development international partners, to create opportunities that Report – Leveraging the Power of Youth for Human strengthen and advance human development so that Development – focuses on youth issues in relation to Lesotho can successfully achieve its development goals. health, education, employment, politics, environment, Incidentally, this report is also published in the gender, and cultural dynamics. Lesotho has made slight inaugural year of the Sustainable Development Agenda human development progress in the last 10 years 2030. This also presents a unique opportunity to (2004-2014), though is still in the category of low Basotho, as a litmus to development and baseline into human development countries. this era. We hope therefore to also monitor the national progress in providing youth-centered support for Lesotho’s population structure shows a youth bulge that holistic human development in the next 15 years. is broad and diverse. As a result, the challenges and opportunities of this broad spectrum of the youthful This National Human Development Report constitutes a population are quite diverse because they are at major vehicle for policy development and different transition phases. Younger people worldwide implementation in Lesotho, and the UNDP in are not as prominent as they could be, hence this report partnership with the government stands fully committed encourages Lesotho’s youth to be more engaged in to support this inclusive process. We hope that Lesotho’s activities that could help to advance their human youth will take ownership of the report, and realise their development. The report starts by acknowledging the full potential as catalytic agents of change. unique passage into youth in Lesotho, premised on rich Karla Robin Hershey Mokoto Hloaele UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Minister of Development Planning ii Acknowledgments The Lesotho Human Development Report shaping the report focus: 2014/15 is a result of a joint project by • Dr Mamphono Khaketla ​​- Education the UNDP Lesotho Country Office and • Ms ‘Mapitso Lebuso ​​​ - Demography Government of Lesotho (Ministry of Gender • Dr Resetselemang - Urban & Rural and Youth, Sports and Recreation), on Clement Leduka ​ Disparities Empowerment for Youth Development (2012- • Mr Tlohang Letsie​​​ - Political & Civic Engagement 2014). The project supported a survey to assess • Dr E .T. Makoa - Health the Status of the Youth (2012) in Lesotho, • Dr M. Ntho - Gender & Culture which formed a foundation for a more robust • Mr Tsepo Mokuku - Environment research on youth and development, in • Ms Makhala Khoeli ​​​ - Statistics • Mr L. T. Thite ​​​​ - ICT for Development context of human development. The statistical and data analysis as well as calculations of The Human Development Report is recognized as national indexes in the report were made by Ms Makhala ‘an independent intellectual exercise’ that has become Khoeli. These calculations were based on the data and ‘an important tool for raising awareness about human statistics resources provided by the National Bureau of development around the world’. However, particularly Statistics and other relevant agencies. Further discussions for this report, the findings, analysis and policy and input was made through specific consultations and recommendations were reviewed and endorsed by contributions by Ms T’soamathe Maseribane (LMDA) the stakeholders, and the Ministry of Gender and and Mr Chibwe Lwamba (UNAIDS). Youth, Sports and Recreation and the Ministry of Development Planning. This report is a result of the The first draft of the report was edited by Ms Heather generous contribution and support of many individuals Miller who designed the chapters and content flow of and organisations, including stakeholders and advocacy the report. Ms Miller was able to transform the original and development practitioners for youth and national background documents to specifically posit youth development. challenges to development in the context of Lesotho. The overall analysis, development of conclusions and The development of the Lesotho Human Development policy recommendations was led by Ms Nthoateng Report was led by Ms Alka Bhatia, UNDP Economics Lebona. Advisor (now based in Malawi), and coordinated by Mr Setsabi Setsabi (now a lecturer with the National In fostering ownership amongst the youth, several University of Lesotho), and Mr Johane Mahao, on dialogues and consultations were undertaken with behalf of the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and representatives from different youth groups. UNDP is Recreation. At conceptualisation, the report also benefited particularly grateful for the support of the UNESCO from a collaborative support from Ms Fatou Leigh, Lesotho Youth Desk, and Volunteer Coordinator, Economic Advisor, UNDP Swaziland, who facilitated the Mareike, who ensured presence of youth and facilitated training and capacity building programme for the drafting feedback in the review process across all thematic team and national technical committees. areas of the Report. Further, the UN Gender, Youth and Human Rights group, Ms Puleng Letsie (UNAIDS), The report has undergone several levels of review and provided a more practical exchange on data and facts validation to ensure that it captures the true nature of the relating to the HIV and AIDS pandemic and youth in Basotho youth in the context of human development. Lesotho. The report production involved several layers of stakeholder consultations, including youth, civil society, A special word of appreciation is also extended to the government, and research and focus group sessions to Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation, draw relevant lessons and nuances. for their partnership and stewardship in the project. As the key stakeholder in the youth development agenda, A special acknowledgement is made to the team that the Ministry has provided both technical resources developed