Vodacom Lesotho has with support of the development partners held a solidarity walk against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Maseru on Monday. Speaking at this event, the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture, Arts and Social Development Mr. Pitso Lesaoana said that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the rights of all victims of GVB across the country are catered for.  He stated that it is through such events or campaigns that the voices standing against GVB in all sectors such as the LGBTI community can be heard.

Mr. Lesaoana however called on all development partners and the private sector as well as all the relevant stakeholders to collaboratively come up with measures supporting the government in reaching a gender-based violence free generation. At the same occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom Lesotho Mr. Mohale Ralebitso stated that this initiative demonstrates Vodacom’s commitment in standing in solidarity with other relevant stakeholders in the fight against GBV within the country.

Mr. Ralebitso said that Vodacom Lesotho is through this initiative showing that there is a lot that still needs to be done by the country in combating GBV.

He however, mentioned that women usually fall victims of GBV in the hands of men also calling to all perpetrators to refrain from their evil deeds. At the same event, the UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Amanda Khozi Mukwashi said that in many countries across the globe, women are the most vulnerable group to GBV and Lesotho is ranked in the top five international countries in terms of GVB. She indicated that global statistics have also revealed that at least 86 percent of women in Lesotho have experienced a form of gender-based violence in their life.

She however mentioned that GVB is a global matter that needs to be attended with all measures needed as not only does it affect the everyday life of its victims but also the economic development of countries experiencing high rates of GBV. Meanwhile,  In Lesotho, at least 60 cases of gender-based violence have been reported for the month of June and about 70 cases were also reported for the month of July.