By Neo Kolane
Lesotho joins the rest of the world in marking the International Women’s Day today, which is commemorated under the theme, ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.’
The theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
International Women’s Day is marked every year on March 8 to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a day to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
A statement issued by UNFPA says these women include the family planning outreach workers ensuring women’s access to contraception is uninterrupted in COVID-19 times, the midwife putting her health at risk to ease a baby’s entrance into the world, the counsellor or shelter worker aiding a gender-based violence survivor and a life skills trainer educating girls to avoid child marriage, impressing upon them their right to bodily autonomy that will inform the decisions they make for themselves going forward.
UNFPA’s Representative to Lesotho, Marc Derveeuw, says the organisation recognises the achievements of women in Lesotho, especially women in the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis such as health care workers, caregivers, community organizers and many other women in different facets of life in Lesotho as the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic.
“Expanding possibilities for women and girls to lead healthy and productive lives is at the heart of our mandate. We are committed to ensuring that policy, legal and accountability frameworks are strengthened to advance gender equality and empowerment of women and young people, especially adolescent girls, to exercise their reproductive rights and to be protected from violence and harmful practices,” Derveeuw said.
The United Nations began observing International Women’s Day in 1975.
