The gender based violence indicators study: Lesotho

Lesotho has made considerable strides in an effort to attain gender equity and equality. It is signatory to, and has ratified, the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development adopted by Heads of State in August 2008. Lesotho enacted the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) in 2003. A major lack in addressing VAW in Lesotho has been the absence of domestic violence legislation. Despite commendable efforts, women still experience violence perpetrated by men in both their private and public lives. Eighty-six percent of women experienced some form of VAW at least once in their lifetime, including partner and non-partner violence. Forty percent of men perpetrated VAW at least once in their lifetime. VAW is predominantly perpetrated within intimate relationships. Sixty-two percent of women experienced, while 37% of men perpetrated, intimate partner violence (IPV).

Author: Linda Musariri Chipatiso, Mercilene Machisa, et al
ISBN: 978-0-9922433-2-6
Publisher: Gender Links
Year of Publication: 2014
Classification Number: 362.83 GEN