Lesothoâ € ™s Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sport and Recreation through the Gender and Development Policy (GDP) 2003 leads all government ministries and other institutions to mainstream gender in all programmes, processes and materials to ensure equal r

The Sesotho culture is based on a patriarchal ideology whereby oneâ € ™s identity is traced through oneâ € ™s paternal lineage and descent. Some aspects of this culture have been incorporated into customary law that places women under the perpetual custody and protection of men. A number of customs and practices have evolved which give men more decision-making powers and the position of the head of household. A woman who is married in community of property owns half of the joint estate, but the whole estate is administered by the husband who is at liberty to do as he pleases with it even if it means to dispose of it, alienate or donate it to whoever he likes, without consulting the wife. Due to the changing socio-economic circumstances, it is evident that such practices should be revisited as they can be used to perpetuate gender-based violence and restrict many women from carrying on with important tasks in their lives.
Backed by a democratic mandate, Chapter II and III of the Constitution, Government is challenged by gender inequities and inequalities that fuel poverty, the increased spread of HIV and AIDS as well as increased unemployment because with retrenchment from neighbouring Republic of South Africa mines. Gender and Development is based on the realisation of human rights for all, women and men alike, holding to principles of equal participation of women and men in politics and decision-making positions; non-discrimination and the empowerment of women, men, girls and boys.

Government adopted the Gender and Development Policy in 2003. As gender inequalities and disparities paradoxically lie both at the heart of womenâ € ™s limited advancement and vulnerability, the policy seeks to redress this situation using the policy as a framework to address â € œthe challenges of gender inequities and inequalities, poverty, increased spread of HIV/ AIDS, retrenchment and unemployment by adopting a rights-based approach to developmentâ € . Policy objectives are:
â € ¢ To ensure equal opportunities and participation by women and men, girls and boys in the development process in order to promote a better standard of living for all and to achieve economic efficiency.
â € ¢ To ensure equal access to education and training, health services as well as control over resources such as land and credit.
â € ¢ To conserve positive and mitigate negative aspects of Basotho culture in order to promote equality of women and men, girls and boys and to sustain social stability and peaceful co-existence
â € ¢ To ensure that gender-sensitive laws exist and are enforced.
â € ¢ To guide in the allocation of resources and public expenditure so that they are equally beneficial to women and men, girls and boys.
â € ¢ To set guidelines for public awareness and promotion of understanding of the link between gender equality and development through the media.
â € ¢To promote equal opportunities and participation in politics and decision-making.
â € ¢To provide direction for development of effective programmes on awareness creation on the causes and consequences of gender-based violence and of mechanisms geared at eradicating such problems.
â € ¢To facilitate promotion of acquisition of life

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