GENDER ACTION PLAN FOR LOCAL COUNCILS IN MASERU DISTRICT 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 and 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 Summary This Gender Action Plan was developed by local authorities from the Maseru District during a workshop held at the National Convention Centre in Maseru from the 15-17 September 2008. The action plan follows the launch of the study, At the Coalface, Gender and Local Government in Southern Africa which took place on the 17th September 2007 in 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 that at 58%, Lesotho has the highest proportion of women in local government in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. A key conclusion of the study was that more needs 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 held 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 outcome of this workshop was a draft gender strategy for local government which was developed by the workshop participants. The Deputy Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Mr Ntai Makoetje applauded the efforts of all the stakeholders in promoting gender equality 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 manual to be used to roll-out gender action plans in all districts of Lesotho. Background to the region Maseru district (represented by the number 5 in the adjacent map) is located in the northwest of the country alongside the Mohokare River bordering with South Africa. Maseru is the capital city of Lesotho and it constitutes an area of 138km². This city is found in a valley of the Hlabeng-sa-Likhama foothills of the Maluti Mountains. The 2006 Lesotho Census of the Population and Housing-Preliminary Results show that the district of Maseru is the most densely populated in the country with a population of 429,823, this constitutes 22% of the total population. According to the report, there are 205,175 (48%) males and 224, 64 (52%) females. Economy The economy of Maseru is growing fast with a lot of textile industries that attract foreign investment. The city serves as a major employment centre and holds large office buildings, department stores, several hotels and banks. Furthermore, it is host to smaller businesses, markets and street vendors. Tourism also contributes largely to the economic growth of the district. The main tourist attractions of Maseru are: Sani Pass, Afri-ski resort, Katse dam, Thaba-Bosiu and the Maluti Mountains. HIV and AIDS Lesotho is one of the countries struggling to cope with the HIV and AIDS in the region and has the third highest prevalence rate globally. It is estimated that 23% of the of adult population are HIV positive and there are over 110,000 AIDS orphans in the country (2008 UNGASS Country Report for Lesotho). 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. According to the 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey, the district of Maseru has an HIV prevalence rate of 25.5% among adults between the ages 15 and 49. The survey further indicates that women are more affected by the pandemic as they constitute 29.9% of those affected compared to 18.8% men. 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 was developed to guide efforts on AIDS. Local government The Ministry of Local government and Chieftainship headquarters office is located in the inner city centre. There are 15 Community councils and one Municipal council in the district of Maseru. Municipal Council The Maseru City Council is the only Municipal council in Lesotho and it is composed of 15 members, 10 women (67%) and 5 men. Of the 15 members, 13 are elected officials and 2 are nominated chiefs. The Municipality is chaired by a woman Mayor who is assisted by the Deputy Mayor. There are 9 committees in the council, of which 7 are led by women. The Mayor is responsible for Management and Tender Board committees. The Town Clerk is the Chief Executive Officer and provides administrative support to the Municipality and he is head of all departments including Planning and Finance. The Municipal council consists of 13 wards within the urban area of Maseru. Community Councils There are community councils each of which is comprised of a chairperson, a deputy and community councillors. Administratively the District Council Secretary provides support to the district council. Similarly, 15 Community Council Secretaries assist their respective local councillors. There are 177 local councillors in total, of which 89 are women and 88 are men as shown in the table below. This means that women make up 50.3% of all local councillors; this is 8% lower than the national figure of 58%. Percentage of women in the 15 community councils of Maseru No. of Male No. of Female Total no. of Community Council & Code Councillors Councillors Councillors Qiloane A01 7 4 11 Ratau A02 9 4 13 Likalaneng A03 4 9 13 Nyakosoba A04 7 6 13 Rapoleboea A05 6 5 11 Manonyane A06 6 5 11 Mohlakeng A07 5 5 10 Mazenod A08 4 7 11 Lilala A09 8 5 13 Makhoarane A10 5 8 13 Makhalaneng A11 6 7 13 Ribaneng A12 4 7 11 Semonkong A13 5 6 11 Mokolometsane A14 6 6 12 Telle A15 6 5 11 Total 88 89 177 Percentage of women councillors in the 15 community councils: 50.3% Source: The District Council, Maseru References: District Council, Maseru 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 Maseru City Council www.state.govt/r/pa/ei/bgn/2831.htm TŠEBETSO HO LATELA TLHATLHAMANO EA LINTLHA TŠEBETSO EA NAKO E KHUTŠOANE (Loetse 2008- Tlhakubele 2009) Puso: Boemeli Ho rala melaoana e tlamang ho fa basali boemeli ba karolo ea mashome a mahlano lekholong (50%) maemong a tsamaiso. Fa basali karolo ea mashome a mahlano lekholong maemong ohle a tsamaiso. Seabo Matšolo a tlhokomeliso ho banna ka tekano le ntlafatso ea naha. Likhokahanyo Tlhatlhobo ea liphatlalatso tsa lekhotla molemong oa ho ngola lithusa-thuto tse qholotsang litloaelo tse fetuhlileng tumelo. Tlhekefetso tekanong Ho amohela le ho Kenya tšebetsong moralo oa naha oa matsatsi a 365 khahlanong le tlhekefetso. Ho tšoara matšolo a tlhokomeliso malebana le lipolotiki ‟moho le ho rala mokhoa oa ho kenyeletsa Makhotla a Puso ea Libaka letšolong la matsatsi a leshome le metso e tšeletseng. Ntlafatso ea liphatlalatso tsa mekhatlo e ikemetseng le makhotla a puso ea libaka ka lipuo tse fapaneng ka maselinyana. Tšireletso le litšebeletso tsa tšohanyetso Hloaea libaka tse ratoang ke likoluoa. Makhotla a puso ea libaka a hire palo e lekanang ea basali le banna. Setsi sa phano ea thepa le litšebeletso Kenya tšebetsong mananeo a polokeho ea lijo le phepo e nepahetseng. Thibelo ea tšoaetso ea HIV le AIDS Ruta basali ka „PEP‟ le melemo ea eona basaling ba hlekefelitsoeng ka motabo. Litšiea tsa tekano pusong ea libaka Theha likomiti tsa kakofiso ea tekano.