The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal deaths and gender-based violence (GBV) in Lesotho.
Briefing the Social Cluster on Wednesday, UNFPA Representative John Kennedy Mosoti revealed that 86% of Basotho women experience GBV in their lifetime, with women aged 15–49 particularly affected by physical violence.
He stressed that despite nearly 90% of women delivering in hospitals, around 530 maternal deaths still occur annually most of them within health facilities. “Ministry of Health must be hold accountable for this,” Mosoti emphasized.
To address the challenge, UNFPA is conducting maternal death reviews and developing an investment case on maternal, neonatal, and child health, family planning, and GBV, set to be launched in Parliament in the coming weeks.
Committee chairperson Mokhothu Makhalanyane said the Social Cluster will convene with UNFPA and the responsible ministry to discuss measures and strategies to tackle these pressing concerns.
