ISO: LSO
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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT FOR THE BEIJING CONFERENCE


MADAM CHAIRPERSON,
YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL,
THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE CONFERENCE MRS MONGELLA,
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

ALLOW ME FIRSTLY TO CONGRATULATE YOU MADAM PRESIDENT ON YOUR ELECTION
TO CHAIR THIS AUGUST CONFERENCE. YOUR GUIDANCE OF THE CONFERENCE
INSPIRED US AND ENABLED US TO ENJOY IT. SECONDLY, ON BEHALF OF MY
DELEGATION, I WANT TO PAY MY GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR THEIR PROFOUND HOSPITALITY AND ASSISTANCE TO ALL
OF US. LASTLY, LET ME ALSO EXTEND AN APPRECIATION TO THE UNITED
NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE CONFERENCE,
AND TO ALL THOSE NGO'S THAT HAVE MADE THEIR INPUTS FOR THEIR EFFORTS
IN MAKING THIS CONFERENCE A REALITY. CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL
DONE.

MADAM CHAIRPERSON,

THIS FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE MARKS TWENTY YEARS SINCE THE UNITED
NATIONS DECLARATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR IN 1975. THE
THEME OF THE 1975 MEXICO CONFERENCE AND THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE REMAINS
UNCHANGED, NAMELY, EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE. SINCE THEN, EACH
CONFERENCE ON WOMEN HAS SOUGHT TO CLIMB THE LADDER SLOWLY BUT SURELY,
ADDRESSING EACH PART OF THE THEME VIGOROUSLY.

MADAM CHAIRPERSON,

SOME OF THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THE UNITED NATIONS WAS FOUNDED WERE:
RESPECT FOR PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS OF ALL
WITHOUT ANY KIND OF DISCRIMINATION; AND THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE
AMONGST ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD.

TODAY AS I STAND HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE WOMEN OF LESOTHO, AND
AS A BEARER OF THE MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF
LESOTHO, I JOIN HANDS WITH THE WOMEN THE WORLD OVER AND SPEAK IN ONE
VOICE THAT TIME HAS COME, TO TAKE ACTION TO PUT ALL WOMEN AT THE
CENTRE OF DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, AND TO ACCORD ALL WOMEN FULL EQUALITY
WITH THEIR MENFOLK.

MADAM CHAIRPERSON,

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO ALIGNS ITSELF WITH THE
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONFERENCE: TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT AND
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN. WE ARE FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT WHILE CONSIDERABLE
PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN RECOGNIZING WOMEN'S RIGHTS AS HUMAN RIGHTS,
A LOT REMAINS TO BE DONE TO BRING ABOUT EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN AND
MEN. IN THIS REGARD, THE VARIOUS UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES, NAMELY,
THE RIO CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, THE VIENNA
CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS, THE CAIRO CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND
DEVELOPMENT AND THE COPENHAGEN SUMMIT ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HAVE MADE
A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO BUILDING A CONSENSUS ABOUT THE
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN. PROBLEMS FACING WOMEN SUCH AS POVERTY, ACCESS TO
HEALTH SERVICES, PROVISION OF ECONOMIC RESOURCES, ALL FORMS OF
VIOLENCE AGAINST THEM, THE TRANSFORMATION OF LEGAL REGIMES TO GIVE
WOMEN THEIR SHARE OF THE FULL ENJOYMENT OF ALL CIVIL RIGHTS AS
CITIZENS, STILL POSE A CHALLENGE TO ALL OF US AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO
LET OUR GUARD DOWN. THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF
THESE PREVIOUS CONFERENCES CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO BE ERODED. RATHER, WE
NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND ENTRENCH EVEN FURTHER THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN.

AS AN INDICATION OF A VERY SERIOUS COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
KINGDOM OF LESOTHO, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY RATIFIED THE
CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN. FOR THE WOMEN OF LESOTHO, THE RATIFICATION OF THIS CONVENTION
IS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE AND THE FACT THAT IT HAS OCCURRED THIS LATE
IN THE DAY IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE POLITICAL CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE
IN MY COUNTRY IN 1993, WHEN A POLITICAL PARTY WAS ELECTED INTO OFFICE
THAT HAD A CLEAR POLICY ON WOMEN, NAMELY:

A NON-SEXIST APPROACH TO MANPOWER PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT.

A COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF WOMEN BY ENSURING
THAT THE SOCIO-LEGAL PRACTICES OF THE BASOTHO AS A SOCIETY DO
NOT IMPINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND DO NOT STAND IN THE WAY
OF PROMOTING EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN IN ALL SECTORS OF LIFE.

THE VARIED ATTEMPTS AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FORA TO ADVANCE THE
CAUSE OF EMPOWERING WOMEN ARE, THEREFORE, IMPORTANT FOR OUR PURPOSES
IN LESOTHO. THE PLATFORM OF ACTION TO BE NEGOTIATED, IN THIS BEAUTIFUL
CITY, CONTAINS IMPORTANT AREAS OF CONCERN FOR LESOTHO. FOR US THE
ADVANCEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN MUST ADDRESS AMONGST OTHER
THINGS, THE FOLLOWING:

WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT;

IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH FOR WOMEN;

EDUCATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS IN BOTH FORMAL, INFORMAL AND NON-
FORMAL SECTOR;

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BY WOMEN AND MEN;

POVERTY ALLEVIATION:

POVERTY ALLEVIATION AS ONE OF THE CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN IN THE
PLATFORM FOR ACTION WHICH, I BELIEVE, WILL BE SERIOUSLY DISCUSSED AT
THIS CONFERENCE, IS HIGH ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA OF MY COUNTRY. THE
POVERTY SITUATION IN LESOTHO CONTINUES TO BE SERIOUS AND IS
CHARACTERISED BY A HIGH PROPORTION OF PEOPLE CLASSIFIED AS POOR AND
VERY POOR, ABOUT 50 PERCENT, IN 1993. THE MAJORITY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE
WOMEN. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE POVERTY, THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS
ADOPTED SEVERAL STRATEGIES WHICH WILL FOSTER LABOUR-INTENSIVE GROWTH.
IN THE AREA OF AGRICULTURE, FOR EXAMPLE, POSITIVE STEPS ARE BEING
TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCTION OF CASH CROPS BASED ON SMALL-SCALE FARM
PRODUCTION WHICH IS HIGHLY LABOUR-INTENSIVE.

THE LESOTHO GOVERNMENT ALSO RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN
RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. SUCH
INFRASTRUCTURE COMPRISES FEEDER ROADS, DAM CONSTRUCTION AND WATER
SUPPLY ALL OF WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE PRODUCTION COSTS, INCREASE
THE RANGE OF CROPS GROWN AND LOWER MARKETING AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS
IN GENERAL. AS RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS CREATED BY USING LABOUR
INTENSIVE TECHNIQUES, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RURAL POOR WHO
ARE MOSTLY WOMEN ARE INCREASED.

BUSINESS SECTOR:

IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR, A GROWING DEMAND BY SMALL BUSINESS FOR CAPITAL
AND PRACTICAL BUSINESS ADVICE HAS LED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCESS TO
CREDIT AND BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES AS WELL AS SKILLS TRAINING AND
BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMMES. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO
SEE EXPANSION AS WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR A PREPONDERANT NUMBER OF SMALL
SCALE ENTERPRISES. LESOTHO IS COMMITTED TO REMOVING RESTRICTIONS ON
WOMEN'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN CREDIT AND DO BUSINESS. AS THE SMALL
BUSINESS SECTOR IS LARGELY DOMINATED BY WOMEN, SUCH RESTRICTIONS WHICH
ARE CURRENTLY EMBEDDED IN THE LAW WILL BE REVIEWED. IN ADDITION, IT
HAS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF WOMEN BY ENSURING GENDER BALANCE IN
ALL SECTORS OF BASOTHO SOCIETY. IN ORDER TO REALISE THESE GOALS, THE
GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO ENACTED THE LAW REFORM ACT OF 1993, ESTABLISHING
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION THAT COMMITS IT, INTER ALIA, TO A REVIEW OF
ALL LAWS AND STATUTES WHICH DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF GENDER;

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:

THE GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT WOMEN
WORLDWIDE PLAY NOT ONLY IN THEIR PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY, BUT ALSO AS
USERS AND MANAGERS OF LOCAL NATURAL RESOURCES. IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT
THAT IN 1994 LESOTHO EMBARKED ON SOME INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO ENSURE
THAT WOMEN ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DECISION-MAKING AND THAT THEIR PRIORITIES AND PERSPECTIVES ARE
REFLECTED IN ALL ASPECTS OF DECISION MAKING. THESE INCLUDES AMONGST
OTHERS THE FOLLOWING:

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL FRAMEWORK TO COORDINATE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AMONGST GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES, PARASTATALS,
NGO'S AND WOMEN'S GROUPS.

PROMOTION OF RESEARCH TO DETERMINE LINKAGES BETWEEN GENDER AND
ENVIRONMENT SO AS TO DESIGN APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.

DEVELOPING AND MAKING AVAILABLE APPROPRIATE AND AFFORDABLE
TECHNOLOGIES FOR RURAL WOMEN, AND EDUCATING THEM ON THE
APPLICATION OF ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY WHICH WOULD NOT
ONLY RELIEVE THEM OF THEIR WORKLOAD BUT ALSO PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT.

EDUCATION SECTOR:

IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR THE POINT OF DEPARTURE IS THAT IN LESOTHO,
UNLIKE IN A NUMBER OF OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES, BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS
HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND SCHOOL. FACTORS WHICH MAY INHIBIT
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ARE NOT GENDER BASED, BUT ARE RATHER ATTRIBUTABLE TO
INACCESSIBILITY OF SCHOOLS, POOR INFRASTRUCTURE, ADVERSE WEATHER
CONDITIONS OR THE INABILITY OF PARENTS TO PAY SCHOOL FEES. GOVERNMENT
HAS HOWEVER, INITIATED PLANS TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS.

MADAM CHAIRPERSON,

EXCELLENCIES,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO PLEDGES TO PLACE HIGH ON THE
PRIORITY LIST OF ITS ENGAGEMENTS THE ATTAINMENT OF THE FOLLOWING
OBJECTIVES:
THE STRENGTHENING OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND MAKING IT AN INTEGRAL
PART OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. GIRLS WILL BE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO
FOLLOW COURSES LEADING TO PROFESSIONS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY
BEEN MALE DOMINATED WITHOUT HINDRANCE IF THEY HAVE THE
CAPABILITY.

THE CREATION OF A CONDUCIVE ATMOSPHERE WHICH WILL ENABLE GIRLS,
WHO FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL, TO RE-
ENTER THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THE INCORPORATION OF GENDER ISSUES IN THE CURRICULUM.

TRAINING OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES IN VARIOUS SKILL AREAS.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND FACILITIES TO
PROMOTE WOMEN S CONTRIBUTION IN THE ECONOMY.

HEALTH SECTOR:

IN THE HEALTH SECTOR EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO IMPROVE HEALTH FOR WOMEN
AND THE FOLLOWING SERVICES.

WOMEN WILL ENCOURAGED TO START COMMUNITY PROJECTS WHICH WILL IN
TURN GIVE THEM FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE TO ENABLE THEM TO BUY FOOD
AND PAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.

THESE ARE SCHEMES SUCH AS “MPATE SHELENG” ARE COMMONLY USED BY
WOMEN TO ATTAIN THE ABOVE OBJECTIVES, SUCH SCHEMES FALL UNDER
THE “BAMAKO INITIATIVE”.

WE ALSO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO SAFE MOTHERHOOD, COMMUNITY
BASED HEALTH CARE BY ENGAGING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS. THIS IS
AN EXAMPLE OF NON-CONVENTIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN THE HEALTH
SECTOR.

IN CONCLUSION I WOULD LIKE TO INDICATE THAT WE HAVE TAKEN
CAPACITY BUILDING AS A PRE-CONDITION FOR SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR PLANS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING
CAPACITY AT BOTH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY LEVEL. WE
WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, WHICH
ARE VERY ACTIVE IN PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING WOMEN'S GROUPS.

WE ARE AWARE THAT TIME IS NOW OPPORTUNE FOR THE COMMUNITIES, IN WHICH
WOMEN ARE THE MAJORITY, TO BE EMPOWERED AND SUPPORTED IN ALL
ACTIVITIES IF LESOTHO IS TO ATTAIN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO USING AS MUCH OF ITS
MEAGRE RESOURCES AS POSSIBLE TO PUT INTO EFFECT THIS MODEST PROGRAMME
OF ECONOMICALLY UPLIFTING WOMEN. WE EXPECT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
TO ASSIST US IN THIS COMMITMENT BY PROVIDING NEW AND ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM WE CAN ONLY MAKE LIMITED ADVANCES.

THANK YOU MADAM CHAIRPERSON!!!