By: Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Tšepang Tšita-Mosena has issued an urgent appeal to confront the challenges facing children, calling on leaders to act on the pleas and demands voiced by the young parliamentarians.
This she said last week at Thaba-Bosiu at the national children’s parliament.
Hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development through the Department of Social Development – Child Protection Services, in collaboration with World Vision Lesotho and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the children’s parliament had seen 50 children drawn from across the country debating over the issues of interest to them and how they want their challenges addressed by the government and the lawmakers.
The national children’s parliament was convened under the education theme, “Education for All: Challenges Facing Well-being and Development of Children in Lesotho”. The young MPs voiced their concerns and debated issues that affect their well-being.
Among key stakeholders present during the proceedings of the young MPs were the Ministers, development partners, MPs, the leadership of the parliament and the representatives of different civil society organizations.
“In Lesotho, the Children’s Parliament is one of many initiatives implemented to create a safe, protective, and violence-free environment for children. Since its commencement, there has been significant improvement in service delivery on issues affecting children, as well as considerations, evaluations, and amendments of child protection laws,” World Vision Lesotho has said in a statement.
The young parliamentarians highlighted several key issues requiring urgent attention: protecting children from early enrollment in initiation schools, strengthening efforts to combat cyberbullying, child labor, and human trafficking, enacting bills into Acts to safeguard children, establishing computer labs in schools, and allocating funds specifically for child protection purposes.
They further voiced concerns on how agriculture, food security, and nutrition impact education, emphasizing that despite government efforts in providing agricultural supplies, the rate of hunger among children remains high. Hunger and poverty, they said, significantly contribute to low school attendance and high dropout rates, as children struggle to focus at school when hungry.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker went to town about the necessity of implementing outstanding laws and policies that are pro-children and designed to improve their lives.
Mosena’s plea highlighted the critical need for immediate and concerted action to address hunger, poverty, and other issues that are hindering children’s education and well-being, urging leaders to prioritize these challenges.
“We heard you. We were listening. After all, you do not always or easily get such an opportunity to talk to your leadership in this country. So we are cognizant of your need for us to listen to you once again we heard
“The parliament is implementing its 2024 to 2028 strategic plan. Taking parliament to the people is one of our strategic initiatives of entrenching the necessary knowledge about parliament’s to pursue and citizens at large. We continue as Parliament leadership and Honorable Members of Parliament to enhance representation and participation by improving communication and engagement through platforms such as today’s children, Parliament,” she said.
She said last year, the National Assembly hosted a simulated youth parliament adding that they take much pride in seeing our young leaders take an active role in informing our decisions
Commending the young MPs she remarked: “This is an opportunity to enhance the knowledge on the role of parliament. You have done a good job. I think you have eased the job that we as leadership of parliament and members of parliament feel we have to do at all times. We all know that the legislature executive and judiciary are the three arms of government. I think I saw three of those roles played very, very well here.
“The representative row which you simulated perfectly, everybody indicating the problems in their region and speaking for those who are voiceless as you have now become leaders in today’s parliament, the legislative role, you have influenced. You talked about the laws that we make, and you have talked about the laws that you would like to see made for this country.”
The Deputy Speaker observed that the simulation was very well executed, noting that the opposition effectively played its robust role in holding the government accountable. She considered this a “highly appreciated initiative that deserves a big round of applause”. From her perspective, she gathered important insights and even took some notes.
“I saw the opposition keeping the government on their toes. What are you doing with our money?
And we know that the executive is the arm that implements the laws enacted by the legislature and enforces the will of the people.
“I think I saw the Honorable Ministers respond to the challenging questions, you know, trying to address the issues on the ground. And you did a very good job, you stood your ground, you were together working in a collective responsibility as we always encourage, citizens,” she stated.
Mosena went on to stress that all leaders in the country “must now act on the issues raised”.
She told the participants that Lesotho commissioned her first violence against Children and Youth Survey in 2018. The purpose was to estimate childhood violence that is physical, sexual and emotional violence or caring to persons before the age of 18.
The findings of the survey, she noted, proved that children in the city experience “unacceptable higher rates of sexual and physical violence” in their homes, schools and communities.
“You [the office bearers] just heard children to attest to the findings of the survey and have recommendations on how solutions can be provided. The unfortunate consequences with a bearing on our children are increasing.
“It was only a few days ago when the Rt. Hon, the Prime Minister, declared a state of emergency against hunger in our country. Unfortunately, children suffer most under such circumstances, hunger, malnutrition, and stunting are likely to increase,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker addressed the challenges faced by parents and guardians in fulfilling their responsibilities of care for children, highlighting the risk of neglect or abandonment. She appealed to everyone, including partners, to support the government in addressing these issues and committing to the protection and welfare of children.
She noted that the government ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of children, including the right to quality education for all. Additionally, Lesotho ratified the Convention No. 182 that commits the country to prohibit and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor in 2001.
Mosena further noted that Lesotho has “committed to protecting the rights and welfare of children by ratifying the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in 1999. This charter recognizes all the rights of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and includes specific rights for African children, taking into account their unique context, experience, cultural heritage, and gender considerations.
She also highlighted that Article 32 of the Constitution provides for the protection of children from economic and social exploitation. She mentioned that the State has enacted numerous statutes to protect children, including the Sexual Offences Act of 2003, the Education Act of 2010, the Penal Code of 2010, the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2011, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011, the Persons with Disability Equity Act of 2021, the Counter Domestic Violence Act of 2022, and the Administration of Estates and Inheritance Act of 2024.
She mentioned the establishment of the Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) within the Lesotho Mounted Police Service and the presence of five child-friendly courts. Further support includes the Child Helpline, the Child Grants Program, the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Bursary, the Disability Grant, and the Child Grants Project supported by the European Union and UNICEF.
Hon. Mokhothu Makhalanyane, Chair of Chairs of the National Assembly Committees, also supported the idea of children participating in governance issues and commended the budget pre-consultation process recently launched by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane. This process involves the Ministry meeting with citizens before the budget is drawn and presented in the House to gather input on their priorities.