Summit 2016-Makhoarane Council COE


Date: June 22, 2018
  • SHARE:

Makhoarane council is situated in Morija area in Maseru. When the council started with the COE process the councillors were blind to gender mainstreaming. To date the council has worked very hard to mainstream gender in their policies and overall council and community activities. Both women and men participate equally in the council and during council meetings all decisions taken are on the basis of issues that affect both men and women.

The council’s gender policy is well known and has a high profile champion within the council. There are 8 male councillors and 5 female councillors within the council, and the mayor and deputy mayor are both males.

Makhoarane Council has three committees, two of which are chaired by women. The council does not have a Junior Council, which could mean that there is a lack of youth representatives. Women, people living with disabilities and young people take part in decision making within the council. Between 26% and 50% women partake in public consultations and the gatherings are usually public. Such consultations also include water and sanitation meetings.

The council’s workforce has employed 30% men, 50% women and 20% youth, and there is no person living with disability who was employed. The council’s secretary and assistant administrator officer are women. This entails that women also chair some positions within the council.

The council provides three months maternity leave that it pays for but none for paternity leave. The council does not have a sexual harassment policy. However it uses the government sexual harassment policy to fight against sexual harassment within the council. There are no facilities within the council that are friendly for people living with disabilities.

Makhoarane Council allocates a substantial budget to gender-related projects, these amounts have increased and some decreased from 2016 to 2017.

Category Budget 2016 Budget 2017
Resources allocated to promoting gender equality in decision-making and public participation $9 500 $7 000
Resources allocated to promoting gender equality/family friendly/ youth and disability friendly policies and practices $5600 $6700
Resources allocated to gender-responsive local economic development $0 $115 000
Resources allocated to promoting gender/youth/PWD responsive projects on climate change $6 000 $20 000

The council’s local economic development plan has market stalls made available for both women and men. Currently, the council does not have entrepreneurship finance schemes to benefit women, men, PWD and youth. In addition, the council is working with support groups that are also members of the council. This is done under the care work projects providing care for People Living with HIV and AIDS, the elderly, terminally ill, educare and child care, and encourages men to share the burden of care.

The council has participated in the 16 days of activism campaign to raise awareness against gender-based violence (GBV). Cases of GBV are mainly reported to the police, and the council has a good relationship with the police. Women, PWD, and youth are equally represented and they participate actively in community policing forums.

Click here to read more about Makhoarane Council


Comment on Summit 2016-Makhoarane Council COE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *