THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative to Lesotho, Dr Marc Derveeuw says the body recognises the achievements of women in the country, especially in the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, including health care workers, caregivers, community organisers and many other women in different facets of life in Lesotho as exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic.

To the UNFPA, these women include, the family planning outreach workers who ensure that women’s access to contraception is uninterrupted in COVID-19 times, the midwife putting her health at risk to ease a baby’s entrance into the world, the counsellor or shelter worker aiding a gender-based violence survivor and a life-skills trainer, educating girls to avoid child marriage, impressing upon them their right to bodily autonomy that will inform the decisions they make for themselves going forward.

Expanding possibilities for women and girls to lead healthy and productive lives is at the heart of the UNFPA’s mandate.

“We are committed to ensuring that policy, legal and accountability frameworks are strengthened to advance gender equality and empowerment of women and young people, especially adolescent girls, to exercise their reproductive rights and to be protected from violence and harmful practices,” Dr Derveeuw said.