Summit 2017-Mafeteng Urban Council COE

Mafeteng Urban Council is located in the   capital city of Mafeteng in Lesotho. The South African border town to Mafeteng is Wepener.The town has a population of around 13,000. Administratively, it is within Mafeteng district Economically the town lies in the centre of a wheat and maize growing area, and agriculture is the main industry.

The council has reviewed gender action plan even though much has not been done due to budget constraints, but that does not stop the council spread gender agenda. There are 13 councillors; five female and eight male which is not so bad at all. The Mayor of the council is man who is deputized by a woman.

There are four committees in the council and two are chaired by women, one by PWD and another one by a man. There is equal participation of women, men, people living with disability (PWD) and youth at the public meetings and events. Between 76%-100% women participate in public consultations. These include water and sanitation meetings, community-based planning and budget meetings.

The Management of the council consists of two women in management position being the town clerk and Assistant Administration Officer; there are five males while females are 12.

The council has more women in non-traditional areas than men, even in the traditional setting there is a greater number of women employed than men.

There is a provision for maternity leave of three months paid but none for paternity leave. After the first three months of giving birth the mother is again given nursing hours for the three months. The council does not have a sexual harassment policy but report cases at the police station if occur. The council’s building disability-friendly and accommodates everybody.

Mafeteng Urban Council gender budget for the 2017 to 2018.

The council has complied with policies prepared by central government through ministry of environment and ministry of forestry and land reclamation and since 80 men and 60 women have been hired through several projects

Council and Mahapu Children fund opened a fund where 50 students (vulnerable) catered for and their examination fee, uniforms and school fees id paid

Council and Social development donated blankets to elderly people 25 people received the blankets and hatchery projects established for PWD in Mafeteng urban council.

Through Mahapu children fund council trained guardians of students sponsored by Mahapu fruits and vegetable on how to support these vulnerably children. Children also trained on HIV/AIDS, Career guidance.

125 men, 146 women, 47 youth and 10 PWD benefited from jobs created by the council. Also Women and men and youth get equal opportunity at the market place. PWD special stands allocated to them at the market place. The number of men in the care has increased from 10 to the 25 which is impressive as compared to where it was before

Click here to read more about the Mafeteng Urban Council.