09 October 2023 by Teboho Lebesa 

International Women’s Peace Group on Peace Committee chairperson, ‘Malejaka Letooane, and member, ‘Mantopi Lebofa, attended the Summit in South Korea in September 2023. Credit: IWPG

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According to 2018 Lesotho survey on violence against children and youth, one in seven women aged 18 years and older experienced sexual violence at least once in their childhood. Sexual violence victimisation may lead to long-term mental and physical health issues among victims, regardless of gender.

“For example, sexual violence is associated with mental distress, self-harm behaviours, suicidal ideation, and substance misuse throughout the victim’s life course,” read a survey published on Science Direct last December.

Just last month, former Lesotho Commissioner of Police and High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, ‘Malejaka Letooane, and International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) member, ‘Mantopi Lebofa, represented the country at the 2023 International Women’s Peace Conference (IWPC) in South Korea.

Letooane, who serves as the chairperson for the IWPG Peace Committee, says Lesotho joined the conference in support of the call for women’s cooperation and solidarity for sustainable world peace, while silencing the guns.

“As a country we have been given recognition as a player to ensure that peace spreads throughout the world,” Letooane told Uncensored News.

“We have send hope to the world that this message of peace filters through to all corners of the world and the firm commitment to engage Basotho women to join hands in ensuring national as well as world peace.”

According to Letooane, IWPG Lesotho’s core responsibilities in the country have, to date, focused on sharing with and training women on peace issues, and to carry this message to the country’s most remote areas. The association is currently represented in the districts of Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Qacha’s Nek, Leribe and Maseru.

Themed ‘The Multi-Faced Role of Women for Sustainable Peace’, the International Women’s Peace Conference saw world women leaders coming together to discuss achievements and women’s contribution towards peace over the past years.

These women leaders, including Letooane, Lebofa and five others from Lesotho, raised their voices to join global peace efforts going forward.

This event, organised by Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light, was hosted as part of the 9^th anniversary of the World Peace Summit. In her opening remarks, IWPG chairperson Hyun Sook Yoon reminded those present that “if there is no worldwide system to build sustainable peace, we cannot be free from war. We should start thinking about the peace we all need.”

International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) chairwomen is giving an opening speech at the 2023 International Women’s Peace Conference held at the Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower on September 19. Credit: IWPG

She stressed that the IWPG was working with women all around the world to take multi-faceted approaches to achieve peace that the world needs.

Maria de Fátima Afonso Vila Nova, First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, highlighted that the time has come for the world to reverse the position of women on issues of insecurity, conflict, and war.

She noted that women should be allowed to occupy high places that allow them to have positive intervention in this matter.

Special speaker, Aya Benjamin Libo Warille, the Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare in South Sudan, discussed the necessity and urgency of sustainable peace.

She said: “Sustainable peace has to be built from the ground up. We know that the journey to peace is not an easy one, but a nation like ours have a resilient people, and we will emerge victorious.”

On her part, Secretary General of the National Commission of Mali for UNESCO, Dr. Kadia Maiga Diallo, indicated that women play an important role in conflict resolution.

“We must include them in negotiation, reconciliation, mediation, and peace-building processes,” said Dr Diallo.  

A Public Health Specialist at Christian Social Service Commissions, Lilian Benedict Msaki, sayswomen’s participation in the negotiation process plays a crucial role as they can offer unique perspectives and wisdom in conflict resolution.

“By increasing women’s participation in political and social decisions, we can contribute to the creation of more peaceful and inclusive international laws,” said Msaki.