By Neo Kolane
The role of the media in promoting gender equity took centre stage at a two-day capacity building workshop for journalists that got underway in Maseru on Tuesday this week.
The capacity building workshop has been organised by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) and MISA Lesotho to train journalists on ethics, professional reporting, new media technologies and gender sensitive reporting.
Speaking at the workshop, MISA Lesotho national director Lekhetho Ntsukunyane encouraged the media practitioners to always take into account gender related issues when reporting.
On behalf of the ministry of gender and youth, sports and recreation, Ntheka Matobo emphasized the importance of the workshop, adding that the two organizations are vital to government’s efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.
Matobo noted that Lesotho, like many countries, is still struggling to fight gender based violence which mostly is perpetrated by men
“It is really shocking that the bulk of sexual harassment of women is perpetrated by spouses or partners. It means as a country, we need to work hard to reduce the high levels of acceptance of wife beating. This practice has a severe impact on the economy.”
