Ntsoaki Motaung
The Chairman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Lesotho) Kananelo Boloetse challenged the media of Lesotho to take action in making sure that Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are also given attention as the process of National Reforms continues.
He said as the constitutional reforms process continues he had hoped that reporters and journalists directly reporting about SRHR issues would be on the forefront to say these rights are fundamental human rights and they should be included in the constitution of the country and be justiciable like any other rights such as right to life, freedom of expression and others.
Boloetse said SRHR are also fundamental human rights and they need to be included in the bill of rights.
“The journey of reforms has not been completed and media personnel still have that opportunity to lead the initiative to ensure that these rights are protected in the Bill of Rights. In that regard it is a challenge to journalists reporting about SRHR issues to take a step and advocate for these rights to be included in the Bill of Rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UNFPA Representative to Lesotho Innocent Modisaotsile said the media is critical in amplifying the voices of the marginalised because many people suffer in many ways but they are unable to articulate issues that confront them.
He said young girls face challenges including giving birth at a young age, sexual violation, they end up living with HIV because of being violated as well as being forced into marriages.
Modisaotsile said these are the issues that UNFPA expect the media to help in amplifying them by being the voices of the marginalised as well as those who suffer daily but are not part of the broader media discussion.
He said governments make commitments at nationally, regionally, continentally and globally and it is really up to the media to ensure that the government account as well as other stakeholders who also make commitments.
“The two-day workshop is meant to reflect on the journey of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). These are the commitments made 30 years ago where over 179 countries came together to reflect on issues around population and development,” he said.
On behalf of the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology Dyke Sehloho indicated that over the past three decades, the ICPD has championed a bold transformative agenda placing human rights and dignity at the forefront of sustainable development.
ICPD agenda according to Sehloho has been instrumental in highlighting a critical role between population dynamics, human rights and sustainable development.
“It was underscored that empowering women and ensuring their rights and dignity are not ethical but also essential drivers for the progress of the societies,” he said.
He said the media as a cornerstone of society plays an indivisible role and has the power to shape narratives, influence public opinions and hold those in power accountable.
