UNICEF, Govt ink joint work plan
LINEO MALATALIANA
MASERU – United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the government have signed a joint work plan that focuses on the health, nutrition, education and protection to improve the lives of children and adolescents on Friday last week.
The work plan for 2025 was signed between UNICEF and four ministries; the Ministry of Home Affairs, Education and Training, Health and as well as that of Gender, Youth and Social Development.
UNCEF representative of Deepak Bhaskaran said that the signing comes at the right time when children are supposed to be supported in a wide range of sectors for their well-being.
“This is not the work of UNICEF alone but a joint effort of the government of Lesotho and various stakeholders,” Bhaskaran said.
The representative pointed out that amidst the challenges the organisation may face, it will find always to pull through to enrich children’s lives.
Based on three principles, consultation, decade approach and integration the work plan seeks for enhancing social communication development, Bob Muchabaiwa, the deputy representative UNICEF said.
Looking in the decade approach, in the first decade UNICEF and government will look into the growth of a child from birth into their early adulthood. Some of the fundamental components in the work plan is the issue of immunisation, early childhood development expansion and support of disaster risk management.
“This is not just the responsibility of the government, the community as a whole has a role to play,” the deputy representative said.
In the second decade the plan focuses on the child’s live from 10 – 19 years. Here it pays attention to high quality learning and the strengthening of the education system as well as supportive private learning for the disadvantaged, mainstream disability and digital transformation.
“Lesotho is considered one the most digital forward countries in the region. As of last year over 70 000 households have moved from manual to digital means of receiving money,” Muchabaiwa said.
He also indicated that the country has the most efficient information centre with a significant moving rate.
The strategy will also look into teacher development and management, child safety in terms of abuses and violence against children and the engaging young people in development.
Speaking on behalf of the government the Principal Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Mahlapane Makakola, applauded the efforts of UNICEF in the development of children.
“The first 100 000 days of a child’s life are fundamental. This is evident in the commitment we see with UNICEF,” Makakole said.
The PS emphasized that the National Information System for Social Assistance is being updated to track and support such children. She also expressed appreciation for the support from various departmental partners and NGOs in combating gender-based violence and ensuring a safe future for the next generation.
