Summit 2017-Litsoetse Council COE

Litsoetse Community Council is situated in the mountain kingdom of Thaba Tseka district.

The council has an annual activity plan derived from the Gender Action Plan. It is in the process of developing a gender policy.The council comprises of 42% of women representatives and the chairperson of the council is a woman. The council also has four committees of which two are chaired by women (Land & Social Services committee). In addition, women do engage in public gatherings about issues of Governance.

The gender champion is also a woman. In the Council Management women take part as Assistant administration officer (AAO), Assistant Physical Planner. The council also has Auxiliary Social Worker as a woman. Additionally, Women Associations are available within the council. However, there is a need for Gender Committees to be established. There are women and youth forums within the council.

The council provides the three months of maternity leave and again the three months of nursing hours after the maternity leave. In terms of the sexually harassment policy the council does not have one for the council, however the cases are dealt at the police station if occur. The workplace is gender sensitive as the needs of both women and men at the council are catered for. For example there are toilets for men and for women, also both men and women are hired at the catchments.

Resources allocated for gender specific programming for the 2017 to 2018

The council does not have market places. Nonetheless, the council has several entrepreneurship finance schemes which at least 65% women are beneficiary. However, there are no arrangements made by council with external sources of finance to promote access to finance for local entrepreneurs, especially women, PWD and the youth. Also there are no resources allocated for empowerment of women rather, they are advised to use local resources.

There are projects for climate change that include; waste management, sustainable energy, water and sanitation and soil conservation projects that the council engages in and 15 women, 10 men and 20 youth have benefited to such projects.

The council has allocated three sites of land to women and six sites to men. There are also committees monitoring the proper usage of the toilets and water system within the council. Again, there are 16 newly

built VIP toilets and water systems which are gender responsive in that they are nearer to everyone and safe women from travelling long distances that sometimes endangered their lives.

The council embarks on campaigns, public gatherings and discussion. Furthermore, the council works hand in hand with the local health Centre in combating SRHR services.

In an effort to end violence the council holds public gatherings and discussion Also, one of the key stakeholders of the council in gender issues is the Ministry of gender.

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