Women’s Month with a leadership agenda

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – The Young Women of Africa (YWOA) Lesotho Chapter will commemorate International Women’s Month with a leadership seminar this Saturday, designed to equip women with essential leadership skills.

Themed “Advance Her,” the event will feature an inspiring lineup of leaders, innovators, and advocates, each offering unique insights and practical strategies for women to rise and lead.

In an interview with Public Eye this week, YWOA Lesotho Chapter Chairperson, Moliehi Nkhabu, described YWOA as a continental movement building a radical organization for young women aspiring to transform their quality of life and socioeconomic conditions.

She noted members are drawn from liberation movements, academia, civil society, professional fields, and feminist circles across Africa. Established in December 2021 with its headquarters in Zimbabwe, Lesotho is one of its active chapters.

“The purpose is to share solidarity, break period poverty by donating sanitary pads, and break barriers in politics,” Nkhabu stated.

“We are bringing together aspiring leaders and change-makers to share strategies for empowering women across Lesotho and beyond to promote development, community empowerment, and gender equality.”

She added their goal is to build a society where women’s voices shape the future, expecting solidarity from empowered women and faith-based leaders across the continent. Nkhabu also highlighted the challenge of women lacking the confidence to claim their space and fight for their rights.

“We organise seminars to capacitate women, to help them know their strength and give them hope. This is our first time commemorating Women’s Month in Lesotho, and we are eager to host more events. While we have continental initiatives, this is our local event,” Nkhabu said.

The movement confronts gender inequality by lobbying for women’s involvement in all sectors through collective action. It serves as a networking platform for progressive young women from all walks of life who believe they can make a difference in Africa.

Their campaigns include gender equality, HIV/Aids advocacy, decolonising education, and supporting students and women’s access to education. They also champion minorities, campaign against human trafficking, and advocate for environmental programmes, workers’ rights, and against hunger and poverty.

Furthermore, their work encompasses women’s healthcare, reproductive rights, menstrual support, rural transformation, and peace and solidarity efforts against early marriages, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence.