Summit 2016- Mafeteng Urban Council COE

Mafeteng Urban Council is situated in the capital city of Mafeteng in Lesotho. The South African border town to Mafeteng is Wepener. The town lies in the centre of a wheat and maize growing area, and agriculture is the main industry, which they use to increase their economy.

The council always ensures that all policies and its activities are gender sensitive. Such policies are based on the realization of human rights of all women and men, which also holds principles of equal participation in development and non-discrimination of men and women. The council has 13 male councillors and eight female councillors. The Deputy Mayor of the council is a female.

The council has three committees, one of which is being led by a woman. There is no Junior Council within Mafeteng Urban Council. However youth, together with women and people living with disabilities (PWD) actively participate equally in the council work.

There is an aggregate of about 26% and 50% women who fully partake in public consultations within the council. Meetings on HIV/AIDS are being held to create awareness and participation of women, men, youth and PWD is perceptible during those gatherings. This includes participation in promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and condoms are being distributed to the public as to try and fight against HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is also provided to the public.

Out of all the workforce, the council has employed 50% women, 40% men and 10 % youth. The secretary of the council is a woman and women make up 67% of the council’s management. All the decisions made within Mafeteng Urban Council include both men and women. They all share their ideas concerning decision making.

The council provides 3 months paid maternity leave but none for paternity leave. There are no rules and regulations within the council against sexual harassment. However, if there are any cases reported about sexual harassment they are being dealt with using the government policy. In addition, the council is not disability friendly. There is a lack of facilities that cater for PWD.

Mafeteng Urban Council allocates a substantial budget to gender-related projects, these amounts varies from 2015 to 2016.

As part of the Council’s local economic development (LED) plan, market stalls are made available for women. Businesses like poultry farming have emerged. However, there are no financial schemes to fund emerging entrepreneurs that are linked to the council. In addition, the council is very much aware of climate changes within the council. Hence, it has engaged with them public to plant trees to control some climatic negative effects life floods.

Women, men, PWD, and youth are involved in the planning, management, and maintenance of water and sanitation. There is a total of four water and sanitation committees. There are two women and two men on the committees. All four water and sanitation committees are chaired by women.

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