31 March 2025 by Limpho Sello

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“When we were out in the fields with other herdboys, we would spot a girl approaching and have a quick conversation about her,” Lepheane Mokapane said.

Mokapane, aged 26, recalls how, as a young herdboy, he and his peers used to coerce girls into relationships.

Mokapane stays in Mantsonyane in Thaba-Tseka district. He spent most of his youthful years herding livestock in that district and knows the tricks of forcing girls into sexual relationships like the back of his hand.

“I should specifically talk about how we forced girls into sexual affairs. We would say among ourselves, ‘Hee banna, lea bona, lesiba ke leo moo letlang le teng’ (Look, the girl we’ve been talking about is coming).

“Then, as she passed by, I would step in front of her and stop her. If she resisted, I would grab and twist her arms until she agreed to my demands.”

To him, this was once a normal way of showing interest in a girl and initiating a relationship. However, Mokapane admits his mindset changed after attending educational training sessions facilitated by Help Lesotho.

“Through these training sessions and mentorship, I’ve come to realise that what we did was violence. It was unacceptable. Today, we have access to a lot of information that helps us understand how such behaviors harm women and society,” he said.

Mokapane said now, when he is interested in a girl, he understands that he must communicate with her and ensure mutual agreement.

The role of male engagement

On March 24, 2025,the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) held a meeting in Maseru to discuss men’s role in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, and HIV.

The gathering included men from diverse backgrounds, such as herdboys, members of the Ex-Offenders Association, initiated nurses, and civil society representatives.

During an open discussion, UNAIDS Community Support Adviser Lethola Mafisa posed a critical question: Should men be involved in these issues?

Mokopane later shared his thoughts in an interview with Uncensored News.

“I’ve learned that as a man, when I start a family, I have a duty to protect and support my wife and children. Their education must be my priority. That way, I will have fulfilled my role as a provider and protector,” he said.

He indicated that as herdboys aged 18 and above, they are encouraged to practice safe sex by using condoms. He said they have also been introduced to Pre-Exposure Prophylasis (PrEP) – a medication used to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

“I am now well-educated and informed about issues related to gender-based violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and HIV. I can explain them in detail.”

He added that by becoming protectors instead of perpetrators, men can help build a safer, healthier society.

Meanwhile, Teboho Chaka from the Ex-Offenders Association reflected on the history of GBV, pointing out that 12 years ago, men would slap women, but as laws were strengthened and women were empowered, violence escalated.

“Today, men are slaughtering women by slitting their throats. This shows that while efforts were made to empower women, men—who are now the perpetrators—were left behind. We don’t know why they continue committing these crimes because no one is trying to understand their motivations,” Chaka said.

A female participant from the floor argued that men are often seen as perpetrators of violence, but focusing only on empowering women without educating men is not a solution.

“You can’t just empower women to avoid perpetrators without also educating men to stop violent behavior,” she said.

Mafisa observed that discussions revealed a gap—women have been empowered significantly, but men were left behind. He stressed that men are not just perpetrators of GBV; they are also protectors.

“We must strengthen men’s role as protectors in GBV prevention. When we remove perpetrators from society, we need to replace them with protectors,” he said.

Why men need sexual health education

Another question was raised: Why should men be involved in sexual and reproductive health if they already know how to engage sexually and reproduce?

Dr. Lerato Mothae, the Ministry of Health’s Key Populations Focal Point, explained that SRHR education for men is crucial because many lack knowledge about basic sexual health, leading to high HIV infection rates.

“For example, we don’t teach men about sex. Many prefer dry sex because they believe that if a woman is wet, she must have been intimate with other men,” Dr. Mothae said.

“They don’t understand that when a woman is aroused, she naturally becomes wet, and that wet sex reduces the risk of infection by minimising friction. Their lack of understanding leads to risky behaviors that drive HIV transmission.”

Dr. Mothae added that misinformation about HIV prevention methods also contributes to the problem.

“Some men think PrEP is the same as ARVs because they come in similar bottles. When a man sees a woman taking PrEP, he assumes she is HIV positive. I know a case where a woman had to take PrEP in a Paracetamol bottle to avoid her husband’s judgment,” he said.

“This shows that uninformed men interfere with preventive measures, increasing HIV risks for both themselves and their partners.”

A national strategy for male engagement

Hareteke Nkhetše, a consultant engaged under the ‘2gether4SRHR’ Men and Boys Project,, emphasised the need for a structured approach to involving men in SRHR, HIV prevention, and GBV reduction.

“We have developed two key documents—the Male Engagement Strategy and the Male Engagement Guide—which aim to provide clear direction on how to engage men and boys in these critical areas,” Nkhetše said.

“The strategy is a high-level framework that outlines Lesotho’s vision, goals, and objectives for male engagement. Meanwhile, the guide serves as a practical tool for organisations working at the community level to implement this strategy effectively.”

In 2024,the United Nations Population (UNFPA) engaged two consultants to draft these documents, and they are now being reviewed by national partners through validation workshops.

“These workshops allow stakeholders to refine the documents, ensuring they align with national realities and international best practices,” Nkhetše added.

Nkhetše outlined the main objectives of the Validation Workshop as to; To refine the draft Male Engagement Strategy and Guide, ensuring they are practical, relevant, and culturally appropriate; To establish key indicators for monitoring the impact of male engagement in SRHR, HIV prevention, and GBV reduction; To develop an action plan for piloting and implementing the strategy, ensuring nationwide adoption.

At the meeting the National stakeholders were expected to take ownership of these documents, ensuring they become effective tools in promoting positive changes in male behavior, reducing GBV, and advancing gender equality in Lesotho.

The validation workshop reinforced the urgent need for male engagement in sexual and reproductive health, GBV prevention, and HIV education. While past efforts have focused on empowering women, men must also be educated and included in these discussions to ensure sustainable change.