1. Alliance strategic planning meeting: Country Report
Report by Lesotho Team
Ms. Mohau Maapesa
Ms Kellello Rakolobe
Mrs Manteboheleng Mabetha

2. Introduction Rationale Menstrual Health Safe Abortion Child Marriages
Presentation layout
Introduction
Rationale
Menstrual Health
Safe Abortion
Child Marriages

3. INTRODUCTION
Lesotho selected 3 campaigns namely
Menstrual Health
Safe abortion, and
Child Marriages

4. RATIONAL FOR CAMPAIGNS
Menstrual Health
Safe abortion
Child Marriages
No Access to sanitary pads because they are costly
Abortion is illegal and criminalised
Conflict in legislation regarding age of marriage. Conflict between customary and civil law where marriage can be at puberty with customary law and 16 for girls in civil marriage and 18 for boys.
Number of girls who miss school as a result of not being able to access the sanitary pads.
Increased case of unsafe abortion taking place in the country which in turn puts pressure on the health system to provide post abortion care
High rate of early marriages due to high rates of teenage pregnancy.
There is a stigma on girls menstruating without sanitary pads from her peers and lack of understanding of the situation
High maternal mortality rate
Most young girls get married to old men because of poor economic statuses of their families.

5. Menstrual Health Objectives:
Advocate for free access to sanitary pads.
Clear understanding of what is entailed in the process of menstruating
Embrace hygienic approach
Advocate for Healthy disposal of pads to safe the environment
Enrich girls knowledge so that they celebrate menstruation

6. Menstrual Health Achievements:
Queen Masenate has Hlokomela Banana initiative ( adopt a girl child) whose tasks include collecting and distributing sanitary towels among vulnerable and needy girls.
Scrapping of tax on sanitary towels by government.
Some high schools are offering free sanitary towels to girls.
Local initiatives to collect and distribute sanitary towels for girls by;
Some supermarkets
Men groups

7. Safe abortion Objectives: To reduce maternal mortality rate
Advocate for legalising and decriminalising abortion
To reduce female school dropouts as a result of pregnancy.
To address social challenges (e.g Depression caused by pregnancy).

8. Safe abortion Achievements
Advocacy and Sensitization on legalization of safe abortion (WLSA and GL and other local CSO).
Intervention to ensure implementation of abortion court, for rape victims ( WLSA, Parliamentary SRHR committee, relevant government ministries)
Campaigns on safe abortions that are lead by men at the local level.

9. CHILD MARRIAGES Objectives:
Advocate for strengthened legislation on CM
To ensure that the agreed age of 18 as minimum age in the Maputo Protocol and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development is adhered to.
Reduce harmful traditional practices
Educate children and communities on the dangers and disadvantages of early marriages

10. Child MARRIAGES Achievements
Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso has been appointed as the ambassador by UNICEF for the fight against the Child Marriages.
Gender and Legal Education on prevention of GBV and on post care services (WLSA and GL)
Advocacy to end Child Marriages ( WLSA, GL, Development and local CSOs)
Advocacy to reform the laws and abolish laws that allow for early marriages.

11. Thank you
KHOTSO!PULA!NALA