By Tshidy Phakoe
On the 15th and 16th of this month, 30 women from across the ten districts of Lesotho gathered at the Farmers Training Center in Mohale’s Hoek for a two-day meeting. This assembly was convened parallel to the Southern Africa People’s Solidarity Network (SAPSN) event in Harare, Zimbabwe, of which most CSO’s didn’t attend due to security reasons. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss critical issues affecting women, particularly in rural areas, and to strategize on advocacy efforts that would be highlighted at SAPSN.
Day 1: Dialogue with Stakeholders and Strengthening Community Support. The first day of the meeting was dedicated to a dialogue between members of the Rural Women Assembly and key stakeholders. However, only representatives from the Child and Gender Protection Unit and the Ministry of Social Development were present. These stakeholders shared insights into their work, and the discussions were centered on gender-based violence (GBV) and community support systems. Mrs. Mpati Kukame, the GBV Coordinator, highlighted the programs that her organization has initiated to support abused children. She detailed the “Back to School” program, which focuses on reintegrating abused children into the education system. Mrs. Kukame also discussed the importance of healing cycles and homework clubs, emphasizing the need for collaboration with stakeholders in referring cases and providing holistic support to victims. Ntate Ts’epo Hlotho provided valuable insights on parenting skills, emphasizing the developmental stages of a child and the critical role of parents during these stages. He stressed that from ages 0-5, a child relies heavily on the mother, while from ages 5-12, the father’s role becomes more significant. As the child approaches adulthood, external influences become more prominent. Ntate Hlotho underlined the importance of self-reflection by parents on how their actions during these stages can impact the child’s behavior, either positively or negatively.
The day concluded with discussions on what constitutes an effective board and a presentation on circles of influence, which are crucial for community leadership and advocacy.
Day 2: Empowering Women in Agriculture and Land Tenure Systems:
The second day of the assembly focused on agricultural policies and land tenure systems, with particular attention to the needs and challenges of small-scale women farmers. Discussions revolved around the Farming Input Subsidy Program (FISP), the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), the current CAADP is serving the interests of capitalists as it continues it continues to emphasize the importance governments supporting commercial agriculture with mechanization and irrigation silent on supporting small holder farmers just saying they should be assisted to become medium scale farmers without saying how. It is not recognizing agro ecology and food sovereignty for small scale farmers as it is capitalist driven, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP). These frameworks were analyzed for their benefits to small-scale farmers, especially women, and their role in ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture. A significant part of the discussion was dedicated to understanding the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its impact on the region. Short videos were presented, illustrating different types of land tenure systems and their benefits. The women participants expressed a strong preference for the traditional land tenure system, which they believe empowers the community by allowing collective decision-making on land use. This system, they argued, fosters community unity, enables the cultivation of medicinal crops, and ensures food security, while also preserving their cultural identity.
The women also voiced concerns about the increasing land grabbing in their communities by multinational companies, often disguised as investment opportunities. They highlighted how these companies exploit the local population by offering low-paying jobs, which fail to provide sufficient income to support their families. The participants noted that this land grabbing has led to significant social, economic, and environmental problems in their communities.
Demands and Resolutions:
At the end of the meeting, the women put forward five key demands aimed at addressing the challenges they face:
Decentralization of the FISP Program in Lesotho: The women called for the decentralization of the FISP program to ensure that it benefits small-scale farmers in all districts, particularly those in remote areas.
Agro-Ecological Farming Inputs: They demanded that FISP should prioritize agro-ecological farming inputs, rather than benefiting commercial farmers. Transparency in the program’s implementation was also a key concern.
Implementation of CAADP/UNDROP: The women urged for the full implementation of CAADP and UNDROP to protect the rights of small-scale farmers and ensure their access to resources.
Financial Independence of SADC: The participants stressed the need for SADC to achieve financial independence, reducing its reliance on external donors.
Elimination of Donor Domination in SADC: Lastly, they called for an end to the domination of SADC by countries that contribute more money, advocating for equitable decision-making processes free from donor influence.
This two-day event not only provided a platform for rural women to voice their concerns but also laid the groundwork for their participation in the SAPSN event in Harare. The discussions and resolutions adopted during this meeting are a clear reflection of the collective determination of these women to advocate for their rights and the well-being of their communities
