Summit 2017-Mohale’s Hoek Urban Council COE

Mohale’s   Hoek Urban is situated in the district of Mohale’s Hoek Lesotho,the place is well known as horse racing   where people from nine districts come for horse racing.The population is around 19560 and Mohale’s Hoek joined COE process 2013.Their hunger is to fight gender based violence in their district.

Although the council did not do that much, it was able to review the gender action plan and few gender agenda were taken in to consideration. The council consists of 14 councillors of which seven of them are women; here we talking about 50/50 representation. The council also have four committee of which two are chaired by women.

Women participate and take decisions at the council sitting; and their decisions are taken into consideration. While Youths and people living with the disabilities (PWD) also participate in the Council work and also benefit from jobs created by the council

The council is also working with other stakeholders, traditional healers, youth men, women and PWD in order to create a policy on resilience of climate change; for example by planting trees in catchment

Also the council has a market designed to help men, women, PWD and Youth in order to improve their lives and to increase the economy of the Country. There are stalls where people are given space and an opportunity. From 2016, 39 men, 50 youth, 11 PWD and 50 women have benefited from jobs created by the council

Through its committee cluster of social services the council  support and care for those living with HIV/AIDS, working with the Ministry of Health to see that support group members are given trainings.

This a provision of three months maternity leave and three months nursing hours after returning back to work. The council does not have a sexual harassment policy, but the case are reported at the police station. The council has disability-friendly facilities and it is accessible for everybody.

The council budget lines for gender projects for the year 2017-2018

Although the council does not have climate change policy, but it is aware of climate change and its effect on human beings and animals. It is then Council working with stakeholders to pick up litter to dumping site and also plants trees in catchment as to make deforestation and recycling.

About the infrastructure and social development the council was able to allocated 99 men and 31 women land; this is quite amazing because the number of women has increased from 10.

There are also 9 water and sanitation committees and seven are chaired by women while 2 are chaired by men.

There are also about 51%-75% youth using contraceptives; the council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the department of Family Planning had a campaign where people especially youth and people living with the disability were taught on importance and different forms of contraceptives, as the council had realized that they are more vulnerable. Female and male condoms are available at the councils and other accessible outlets.

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