13 December 2024 by Nthabiseng Matjama

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As a proud patriot of the Kingdom of Lesotho, I am deeply concerned about how our environmental resources, particularly land and water, are poorly managed despite their critical role in sustaining our economy and livelihoods.

Lesotho’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) relies heavily on these resources, with water being a cornerstone of our export economy and land being essential for agricultural activities that sustain rural communities. Yet, the lack of sustainable management practices, joined with the impacts of climate change and overexploitation, threatens the very foundation of our nation’s growth and prosperity.

This issue demands urgent attention and collective action to secure a sustainable future for our country and its people. In 2019, while working on a civic education project in Quthing District, I focused on mainstreaming environmental issues and addressing gender disparities in resource management.

I played a key role in facilitating the formation of rangeland associations to ensure equal participation of men and women in decision-making processes related to water and land management. This initiative addressed longstanding conflicts over these resources, which had even resulted in loss of life in rural villages.

I was particularly concerned about the exclusion of women, many of whom were heads of households and actively engaged in livestock rearing, yet were denied a voice in land management decisions.

Lesotho faces significant challenges in managing its environmental resources, particularly in the areas of land and water. I will tabulate those key challenges bellow:

Weak governance and institutional capacity

The country has multiple institutions overseeing land and water management, but their mandates often overlap, leading to inefficiencies. For instance, the Ministry of Water and the Ministry of Forestry, Range, and Soil Conservation most of the time work in isolation and the coordinated efforts are hindered. Each ministry might develop policies and projects independently without considering the interconnection between resources, forestry, and soil conservation. For example, deforestation and soil erosion directly affect water catchment areas, but lack of joint planning means these issues aren’t addressed comprehensively.

Lack of Enforcement: Environmental regulations exist but are not consistently enforced. This leads to issues such as illegal land grabbing, overgrazing, and water contamination from mining and industrial activities.

Climate change vulnerability.

Lesotho is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as reduced rainfall and unpredictable weather patterns, which exacerbate issues like soil erosion, water scarcity, and flooding. The country struggles to adapt to these changes due to inadequate infrastructure and unclear planning. These challenges hinder effective responses to climate shocks.

Overgrazing and Degradation: Overgrazing occurs when livestock consume vegetation faster than it can regenerate, leaving the soil exposed to wind and water erosion. In Lesotho, where much of the land is mountainous, erosion is a major issue, resulting in the loss of topsoil, which reduces the land’s fertility and its capacity to sustain crops.

Limited public awareness.

There is a general lack of awareness about sustainable land and water management practices. Rural Communities continue practices that harm the environment, such as deforestation (by collecting wood everywhere), uncontrolled water abstraction, and unsustainable farming methods.

What can be done to ensure equal participation of men and women on this alarming issue?

Strengthening institutional capacity

There should be a better coordination among institutions to manage environmental resources effectively. Establishing multi-stakeholder platforms that include governmental bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local communities can help streamline efforts. Also empowering local community-based organisations to take part in land and water governance ensures that both men and women have a voice in resource management.

Education and training for both genders.

Capacity-building programs could be designed for both men and women, focusing on sustainable farming techniques, water conservation, and land restoration practices. This would not only improve the effectiveness of environmental management but also ensure gender equity in the process.

Awareness campaigns can target rural areas to educate people about climate change, water conservation, and sustainable land practices. These campaigns should be tailored to the specific needs and cultural contexts of rural communities.

Collecting gender-disaggregated data on land and water usage is crucial; data may reveal structural barriers, such as impracticality/limited land ownership for women or unequal participation in water management committees/associations. This will help understand the unique challenges faced by women and men in managing these resources. For instance, women might need support in accessing water for domestic use, while men may be more involved in agricultural water use. Such data can inform tailored policies and interventions.

About the Author: Nthabiseng Matjama is a passionate gender activist committed to promoting balance and equality in the participation of men and women in all spheres of life. With extensive experience in development projects, her work spans critical areas such as food security, HIV/AIDS, civic education, and gender equality, where she has consistently demonstrated her dedication to fostering positive change.

Nthabiseng is a Mandela Washington Fellowship Reader, actively contributing to the selection process of future African leaders. She also serves as an ambassador for UNITAR, advocating for digital skills development among youth and women across sub-Saharan Africa. Her leadership extends to her role as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Gender Links, where she plays a pivotal role in advocating for vulnerable women and advancing gender justice initiatives.