By: Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- During the recent National Children’s Parliament, children highlighted the severe impact of hunger and poverty on their education. They pointed out that these issues significantly contribute to low school attendance and high dropout rates.
The children’s testimonies underscored the urgent need for policies and interventions to address these barriers, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to attend school and receive a quality education.
The 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), brought together 50 children from across the country. They debated issues of interest to them and discussed how they want their challenges to be addressed by the government and lawmakers.
The World Vision Lesotho said since the establishment of the national children’s parliament, significant improvement in service delivery on issues affecting children, as well as considerations, evaluations, and amendments of child protection laws has been made.
The childrens’ parliament’s session was hosted under the theme “Education for All: Challenges Facing Well-being and Development of Children in Lesotho”.
The National Children’s Parliament is a platform for young advocates to contribute to public debate and influence decisions that affect their lives. It also creates a space for key stakeholders, policymakers, and decision-makers to hear first-hand the concerns for adoption in their mandate.
The right to adequate food is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). According to Article 25(1), “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing…”. This underscores that access to sufficient and nutritious food is a fundamental human right.
The voices of these young MPs call for immediate action to combat hunger and poverty, which are denying them their right to learn and thrive.
The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goal No. 2 advocates to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.” Achieving this goal by the target date of 2030 will require a profound transformation of the global food and agriculture system. And some of the key components of this goal include ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food for all people.
The government has implemented a school feeding programme within the education system at a primary level, providing meals to at least two-thirds of the country’s schools. Organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) support these efforts and despite these interventions, challenges persist.
“Food insecurity remains a chronic challenge, hindering the country’s development and progress towards zero hunger. Despite some economic growth, Lesotho has been unable to address rural poverty and promote inclusive social development. Over a quarter of the population faces high levels of acute food insecurity and requires humanitarian action to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihoods, and prevent acute malnutrition,” reported WFP.
The young MPs voiced concerns about the impact of agriculture, food security, and nutrition on education. They emphasized that, despite government efforts to supply agricultural resources, child hunger rates remain high. They pointed out that hunger and poverty significantly contribute to low school attendance and high dropout rates, as children find it difficult to focus in class when they are hungry.
These calls come in the wake of the recent declaration by the Prime Minister. On July 12, 2024, Prime Minister Rt Hon Sam Matekane declared a national food insecurity disaster in Lesotho, set to last until March 31, 2025. This declaration follows section 3 of the Disaster Management Act No. 2 of 1997 and was prompted by a recent vulnerability assessment indicating that 700,000 people in the country are experiencing severe food insecurity and urgently need assistance.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the decision is based on findings from the vulnerability assessment study, which revealed that the severe food insecurity faced by 700,000 individuals is a result of the El Niño-induced drought.
Recalling the period from mid-December 2023 to March 2024, the Southern African Region, including Lesotho, was significantly impacted by El Niño. During this time, the region experienced insufficient rainfall, leading to drought conditions that adversely affected crops, despite initial hopes for a promising harvest in many areas.
“A national study on vulnerability revealed that approximately 700,000 Basotho are currently facing food insecurity. This number exceeds the 582,000 Basotho reported as food insecure during the 2023-2024 harvest season,” the Prime Minister explained.
The young parliamentarians also raised other critical issues, including: Enactment of outstanding Bills into Acts, especially those safeguarding children; Allocation of funds specifically for child protection purposes: Protection of children from early enrollment in initiation schools; Establishment and equipping of computer labs in their schools; Combating of cyberbullying, child labour, and trafficking.
They believe that the outstanding amendments to the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act should be expedited, as this legislation safeguards their well-being and addresses many of their challenges.
Following the children’s parliament session, there were responses from the ministers, MPs and development partners. They addressed the concerns raised by the children and outlined how they plan to work together to respond to these issues.
For his part, the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture and Social Development Hon Pitso Lesaoana touched on the issue of disability, stating that children with disabilities should not be hidden.
He emphasised that disability is not a failure and urged parents to recognize and support their children. The Minister committed the government to supporting children with disabilities and condemned the ill-treatment of children, reminding participants that whipping children should no longer occur.
Regarding menstruation, Lesaoana asserted that it should not be a taboo subject and appreciated the Finance Minister for ensuring that menstruation does not prevent children from attending school.
“We want children to feel that they have the right to live,” he said.
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane highlighted the importance of a budget allocation that prioritizes children’s needs.
She stressed that funding should be directed towards enhancing educational facilities, providing necessary resources, and integrating advanced technology in schools. This, she believes, is crucial for fostering a conducive learning environment and investing in the future of the country’s young citizens.
The Minister underscored that the budget should be responsive to the needs of children and gender-sensitive.
She stated that schools must be well-equipped with the necessary resources and technology to ensure a quality education for students. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of investing in the future of the country’s young citizens.
The UN Lesotho’s Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi committed the UN’s commitment to supporting the government and people of Lesotho in their vision and determination to achieve sustainable development. She emphasized that at the core of sustainable development lies “human dignity”
, which is the ability of each individual to self-actualize.
The UN Resident Coordinator stressed that their backgrounds should not matter; what must be universally accessible to every Mosotho is the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. This includes ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry, stays away from school due to lack of food or school supplies, and has access to a comprehensive education. Education should enable individuals to pursue their dreams, whether through employment, entrepreneurship, or business success.
Mukwashi highlighted that there is no dignity when girls are unable to attend school because of menstruation. She urged the young parliamentarians to serve their constituencies by consulting and addressing the demands of all community members, including women, the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.
Regarding climate change, she mentioned the recent declaration of hunger by the Prime Minister, attributing it to inadequate protection of water sources. She warned that hunger could lead to severe social issues such as food-for-sex exchanges and exploitation.
She also talked of the importance of investing in children today to secure the future. Mukwashi highlighted that the schools should be sanctuaries where children feel safe, digitally connected, and well-nourished both in terms of food and knowledge affirming the UN’s commitment.
She further called for prioritizing and swiftly implementing measures that address the urgent needs of children, who cannot afford to wait.
Meanwhile, the young parliamentarians called for the establishment of a formalised and regularised childrens’ parliament.