USAID / Khutlo consortium partners Pact and Sonke Gender Justice, under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM- STAND) convened a three-day stakeholder consultation and official launch of the USAID/Khutlo activity project from the 28th to the 30th day of August 2023 in Maseru, Lesotho. The project aims to reduce stigma, discrimination, and violence against women, girls, and LGBTQI+ communities in Lesotho communities. The project, which will be implemented in Maseru, Leribe and Mokhotlong, will also build the capacity of civil society organizations to advocate for LGBTQI+ rights as well as provide quality and inclusive GBV prevention, mitigation, and response services.
The meeting brought together delegates from the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Youth and Recreation, local traditional leaders and healers, members of the LGBTQI community and civil society organizations among others. Mareitumetse Sefako from Lesotho’s Puisanong organization presented on the project’s formative research. “This project has two types of beneficiaries, primary beneficiaries being cishet women, girls and LGBTQI+ communities and secondary beneficiaries being CSOs funded by the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanisms, traditional and faith-based leaders, LMPS, other duty bearers, media houses and communities, and the key informants for this research include CSOs, Lesotho Council of non-governmental organizations and other relevant umbrella bodies” she said.
Stakeholders at this meeting discussed the possible collaborations of various organizations in implementing the project, which resulted in a nomination of members of the Advisory Council for the project as well as recommendations for the project team.
