By: Mpho Shelile
Thaba-Bosiu –To tackle the pervasive issue of child labour and forced labour in Lesotho, World Vision has officially launched and handed over the Pathway Project to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Funded by the European Union (EU), this multi-faceted initiative accelerates the eradication of child labour by addressing its root causes, empowering communities, and strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders.
Child labour remains a pressing issue in Lesotho, with approximately 16% of children engaged in labour, as reported by UNICEF. The primary drivers of this crisis are poverty and a lack of employment opportunities for families, forcing many children into work to support household incomes.
The launch of the Pathway Project seeks to protect children’s rights and ensure their access to education and safe environments, with the aim to transform communities by educating them about the harmful effects of child labour on children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as their future opportunities.
3,000 copies of the Pathway Guide will be distributed across all ten districts of Lesotho. This guide outlines the project’s goals, strategies, and the roles of various stakeholders in the fight against child labour. By equipping communities with this knowledge, the project fosters collective understanding and commitment to ending child labour.
During the launch event, Sara Skovgaard, World Vision Lesotho’s Chief of Basic Education, Adolescent Development, and Child Protection, described the initiative as a significant milestone in child protection efforts. She emphasized the importance of child protection laws in safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring they are protected from harm. “The launch of this project marks the beginning of something transformative for the children of Lesotho,” she stated.
“While we celebrate this progress, we must remain vigilant as children continue to face violence both at home and in schools.”
Skovgaard highlighted the alarming prevalence of violence against children in Lesotho, noting that six out of ten girls and four out of ten boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, with only a small fraction of these cases being reported.
She expressed hope that the Pathway Project would empower children with knowledge on where to seek help, ensure security and encourage communities to act proactively to protect them.
In his address, Hon. Tšeliso Mokhosi, Minister of Labour and Employment, emphasizes the severity of child labour in Lesotho, where children are often found working in agriculture, domestic work, and mining under hazardous conditions. “These children are not just statistics; they are individuals with dreams and potential, yet they find themselves burdened with responsibilities far beyond their years,” he said. “This is a call to action. We must act urgently and with compassion to end this cycle.”
Hon. Mokhosi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting and uplifting children, further acknowledging the necessity of a multi-pronged approach to address child and forced labour. “This project is not just about identifying the problems; it is about envisioning and implementing sustainable solutions,” he added.
To ensure the project’s success and sustainability, World Vision set an objective to engage faith and traditional leaders, who are influential figures in their communities and can play a pivotal role in advocating for the protection of children. The project envisions creating a robust, community-based supportive network that works relentlessly to eliminate child labour.
Hon. Pitso Lesaoana, Minister of Gender, Youth, and Social Development, commends World Vision and the EU for their support in launching the project. He stressed the urgency of addressing child labour and related issues. These include human trafficking, which he noted is exacerbated by poverty. “Children are forced to look after animals or work in households when they should be in school. The root cause of this, among others, is poverty,” he said.
Tau Senyane, a child representative during a panel discussion suggests that community leaders need to be educated on the matter of child and forced labours, “I also encourage the government to provide support from primary to high school level to help reduce child labour.”
The Pathway Project is not only focused on protecting children but also on building a brighter future for all Basotho. It aims to empower communities to take proactive steps against child labour through educational campaigns and community dialogues. By fostering a shift in attitudes and practices, the project seeks to create environments where children are free to pursue education and development without the burden of labour.
The project calls on youth and community members to actively participate, whether through volunteering, reporting cases of child labour, or raising awareness. Everyone has a role to play in creating a child labour-free Lesotho, and the project encourages all Basotho to join hands in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
The EU funding of the Pathway Project demonstrates EU’s commitment to global efforts to combat child labour and forced labour. This initiative aligns with the EU’s broader goals of promoting human rights, social justice, and sustainable development. By supporting Lesotho in this critical fight, the EU is helping to pave the way for a future where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive without being burdened by labour.
The Pathway Project represents hope for thousands of children in Lesotho who are trapped in child labour. It is a call to action for all Basotho to come together to protect these children and ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. With the support of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the EU, and local communities, Lesotho can move towards a future where every child is free from exploitation.
Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and ensure that no child in Lesotho is left behind. The Pathway Project is not just a roadmap to eliminating child labour but a pathway to a brighter, more equitable future for all Basotho.