Member of Parliament (MP) Mamello Phooko delivered a sharp critique of government ministries during the launch of the Investment Case Lesotho, accusing key institutions of failing to protect vulnerable citizens and relying on outdated information.
Speaking at the event, Phooko expressed frustration, echoing concerns within the National Assembly’s Social Cluster Committee, over the country’s handling of gender-based violence (GBV) and declining healthcare standards.
She began by addressing gender dynamics in Lesotho, urging women to recognise their agency in confronting abuse.
“Gender-based violence can only be reduced by us, not our abusers,” she said. “Our abusers feel powerful. We are the only ones responsible for ourselves.”
Phooko went further, arguing that women hold significant influence in shaping society. She said that because every man is raised by a woman before becoming a husband or brother, women have a central role in changing harmful behaviours.
“We let men destroy us. So we should pull up our socks,” she added.
Turning to healthcare, Phooko criticised what she described as a loss of compassion in the nursing profession. Drawing on her experience, she said nursing had shifted from a calling to a job driven by income.
“During our time, nursing was a calling. It was not meant for employment,” she said. “When it is a calling, you are passionate, and you respect everybody. But nowadays, it is about money, and that affects how patients are treated.”
She described some health facilities as intimidating, claiming that vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and the elderly no longer feel safe or cared for. She called on the Ministry of Health to prioritise retraining staff to restore empathy in patient care.
Phooko also directed strong criticism at the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, particularly over delays in implementing the Counter Domestic Violence Act.
Rejecting claims that the ministry is understaffed, she questioned its budget priorities.
“Their budget does not show that they are understaffed,” she said. “There is M400,000 allocated for the entertainment of one person. That money could be used to support real work.”
She further raised concerns about the ministry’s reliance on outdated data in addressing social challenges, saying this undermines effective decision-making.
A ministry representative acknowledged the concerns, admitting that current GBV data is outdated. The official said a new study is underway to inform the development of an updated database.
The ministry added that more accurate statistics are expected after the completion of the national census, which will help guide future interventions.
Summary
- Member of Parliament (MP) Mamello Phooko delivered a sharp critique of government ministries during the launch of the Investment Case Lesotho, accusing key institutions of failing to protect vulnerable citizens and relying on outdated information.
- She said that because every man is raised by a woman before becoming a husband or brother, women have a central role in changing harmful behaviours.
- The official said a new study is underway to inform the development of an updated database.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
