Vodacom Lesotho, UNFPA forge landmark alliance to confront GBV epidemic

LIAPENG RALIENGOANE

MASERU – In a powerful response to Lesotho’s severe gender-based violence (GBV) crisis, Vodacom Lesotho and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have solidified a three-year strategic partnership.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), has been signed this week in Maseru, uniting the telecommunications giant and the global development agency in a comprehensive campaign to prevent GBV and support survivors, leveraging their unique strengths to address an issue affecting a reported 86 percent of women in the country.

This alliance signifies a critical juncture in the fight against GBV, blending Vodacom’s technological innovation and community reach with UNFPA’s technical expertise and humanitarian mandate.

Vodacom Lesotho’s commitment to this cause is deeply rooted in its corporate philosophy of driving social change through connectivity. The Vodacom Lesotho Foundation has long been active in the GBV space, recognizing the issue as a direct threat to the nation’s well-being.

This commitment became profoundly personal with the tragic loss of their colleague, Rethabile Mofolo, to GBV – an event that galvanized the company’s resolve.

Prior Vodacom Lesotho initiatives already include the development and promotion of innovative technological solutions to promote well-being and safety in the country – supporting child safety, early childhood education and girl coding. Furthermore, Vodacom has supported shelters and helplines, leveraging its network to ensure reliable communication for vital support services.

This new partnership with UNFPA is designed to significantly amplify these existing efforts, moving from discrete projects to a sustained, nationwide strategy.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vodacom Lesotho CEO Mohale Ralebitso framed the partnership as a moral and national imperative.

“The alarming prevalence of gender-based violence represents a severe challenge to our national development. Tackling GBV demands a unified front. This partnership is testimony to our shared commitment to addressing this crisis holistically, from prevention to survivor support,” Ralebitso stated.

John Matlosa, Chairman of the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, added, “Our existing initiatives are now significantly amplified through this collaboration. We are immensely grateful to UNFPA for joining forces to exponentially strengthen the fight against GBV.”

UNFPA’s Acting Country Representative, John Kennedy Mosoti, emphasized the necessity of collective action.

“Gender-based violence transcends socio-economic boundaries. Its eradication requires a firm, unified response from all stakeholders. Vodacom Lesotho stepping forward demonstrates the crucial role the private sector must play in driving social change,” he said.

The MoU outlines a multi-faceted framework focusing on the provision of safe environments for survivors and their dependents. holistic survivor support, including medical, psychosocial, legal and economic empowerment services as well as strengthening partnerships to enhance coordination among service providers.

It also covers rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to help survivors rebuild their lives, including equality advocacy to advance human rights and social transformation.

The UNFPA is the UN’s lead agency dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. In Lesotho, UNFPA has worked for decades to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, which are intrinsically linked to the eradication of GBV.

UNFPA’s work in the country focuses on strengthening national systems to prevent and respond to GBV. This includes training healthcare providers on the clinical management of rape, supporting the integration of GBV services into health clinics, promoting life-skills education for adolescents, and advocating for stronger laws and policies to protect women and girls.

Their approach is multi-sectoral, working closely with the government, civil society organizations, and other UN agencies to create a coordinated response.

The partnership arrives amid stark statistics. The recent Lesotho Demographic Health Survey (LDHS 2024) found that 36 percent of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, underscoring the urgent need for sustained and collaborative action.

This Vodacom-UNFPA alliance aims to be a cornerstone of that response, creating a model for corporate-development cooperation in building a safer, more equitable Lesotho.