SHARE:
Semonkong urban Council is situated deep in the mountains of Lesotho in the district of Maseru. It is about 100km from the capital city. It is a peri-urban and has been made the urban council after the 2011 Local Government Elections. It is the area which attracts many tourists because of its beautiful scenery and the famous Maletsunyana falls which is one of the biggest falls in Lesotho. Though Semonkong is the urban council it has a lot of challenges in comparison with other urban councils that are normally found in town as it is in the rural area.
The council has put in place a number of gender-related policies to guide its work. The district council consist of 6 male councilors and 4 female councilors. The council aims to expand its percentage of female councilors from 40%. The Mayor, as well as the Deputy Mayor of the council are males.
The council is made up of three committees, one of which is chaired by woman. There are more men employed than women in their Workforce of the council.
Young people, people living with disabilities (PWD) and community members participate in community-based planning projects and meetings. Between 26 and 50 percent, women participate in public consultations.
The total workforce of the council employees consist of 30 percent women, 8 percent youth and 3 percent of people with disabilities. Women are only one of management. The Council amended the recruitment, selection and promotion policies to increase the proportion of women in the workforce. There has been regular meetings with non-governmental organisations and the state apparatuses to educate and implement some of the plans to meet the required demands.
There are provisions for maternity and paternity leave. The council does have a sexual harassment policy. Cases related to Sexual harassment are usually reported whenever they occurs. Working with the state apparatuses such as the police and the non-governmental organisations.
The Semonkong Urban Council allocates a substantial budget to gender-related projects, these amounts has stood at the same level from 2015 to 2016.
Category | Budget 2015 | Budget 2016 |
Resources allocated to promoting gender equality in decision-making and public participation | $8 666 | $8 666 |
Resources allocated to promoting gender equality/family friendly/ youth and disability friendly policies and practices | Financial allocation not available. | Financial allocation not available. |
Resources allocated to gender-responsive local economic development | Financial allocation not available. | Financial allocation not available. |
Resources allocated to promoting gender/youth/PWD responsive projects on climate change | Financial allocation not available. | Financial allocation not available. |
As part of the of the Council’s local economic development plan, the council have designed markets places but it is still pending because of some local sabotage. There are 56 beneficiaries benefiting from jobs created by the council, 34 women and 22 men.
Women, men, PWD, and youth are involved in the planning, management, and maintenance of water and sanitation.
Click here to read more about Semonkong Urban Council
Comment on Summit 2016-Semonkong Urban Council COE