Ministry of Gender, GIZ launch National Dialogue on workplace GBV
LINEO MALATALIANA
MASERU – In a landmark initiative, the Ministry of Gender, in collaboration with its main partner, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), convened a National Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Workplace.
The event brought together policymakers, activists, and private-sector leaders to address the systemic issue of GBV, which disproportionately affects women in professional settings.
The dialogue opened with powerful remarks by Thai Makhele, who declared: “Let us denounce violence in its nature.”
He emphasized that GBV has reached pandemic levels in the country with workplaces serving as critical sites of vulnerability for women. “This is not just a social issue – it’s an economic and moral crisis,” he asserted.
According to statistics around 60 percent of women in Lesotho have experienced GBV at the hands of their partners and more than 80 percent of women in the working sector have experienced GBV.
Makhele expressed that he is filled with gratitude to be part of a dialogue of this nature, where the government works hand in hand with the private sector in fight against GBV.
’Maletsie Letsie, a Labour Inspector from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, put emphasis on what role the employer plays in the reporting and handling of cases pertaining to GBV in the workplace.
In her presentation, Letsie said that GBV is suffered by all genders; however, it is more dominant in women.
The presentation also showed that GBV can be between employer to employee, employee to employee and third party perpetrators such as clients, customers and contractors.
“What makes GBV particularly dangerous in the workplace is fear – victims fear losing their jobs if they report,” Letsie said.
Letsie emphasized that failure to address GBV in the workplace is not only unethical but also carries legal implications for the employer. Employers face lawsuits by victims under civil or labour laws, fines and penalties from labour inspectors and human rights institutions, reputational damage that could impact business.
Letsie further showed that employers are obligated to provide a safe and dignified work environment free from all forms of violence and harassment, establishment of clear anti-GBV policies, training employees on GBV, how to report it and how it should be addressed, investigating of cases promptly and confidentially, supporting victims and ensuring referrals to psycho-social support, disciplining perpetrators in a fair and consistent manner.
“Victims of GBV often suffer from anxiety, depression, absenteeism and low productivity,” Letsie said.
The district level dialogues hosted by GIZ took place in Mafeteng, Maseru, Leribe and Mokhotlong from April 27 to May 8 this year.
Further one-on-one consultative meetings with private sector stakeholders took place between April and June.
Through this dialogue GIZ together with the government, want to include private sector engagement in a partner in the prevention and combat against the GBV in the workplace.
Participants at the dialogue were in agreement on the need to eradicate GBV in the workplace. Business giants in the corporate world such as Vodacom Lesotho and Minet have adopted the policy and put into practice measures to combat GBV and also ensure the wellbeing of victims.
The standards adapted by the dialogue where based on International Law Organisation Violence and Harassment Convention (ILO) 190.
“Violence and harassment in the world of work can constitute a human rights violation or abuse, and that violence and harassment is a threat to equal opportunities, is unacceptable and incompatible with decent work, and recognizing the importance of a work culture based on mutual respect and dignity of the human being to prevent violence and harassment,” according to ILO190.
The engagement also touched on the inclusion of male counterparts in discussions around GBV. Making it a problem that everyone is obligated to solve on a personal level first.
The dialogue also had a panel discussion on GBV and a breakout session where stakeholders are expected to make commitments on GBV prevention.
