World Vision Lesotho Partners with Government and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso to Celebrate International Day of the Girl Child
For Immediate Release
11, October 2024, Mohales- Hoek, Lesotho — In a monumental celebration that coincides with the ongoing Lesotho's bicentennial commemorations, World Vision Lesotho is proud to announce its partnership with the Government of Lesotho and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, the World Vision Lesotho Child Protection Champion and advocate for the girl child, for the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2024.
This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of girls and empowering them to lead the way in shaping a brighter tomorrow. The commemoration event will highlight the critical issues affecting girls in Lesotho, including access to quality education, gender equality, and the elimination of child marriage and child labour.
“As we celebrate 200 years of our nation, it is essential to reflect on the birth of a new Lesotho, where the rights of girls are respected and enforced,” – James Chifwelu, National Director of World Vision Lesotho. “Together with the Government of Lesotho, and Her Majesty, we aim to revive our commitment to empower the girl child, ensuring they are safe, educated, and equipped to realize their full potential.”
During the event, Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso will share her vision for empowering girls, advocating for their rights, and highlighting the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders. The event will also showcase various initiatives led by World Vision Lesotho including the European Union funded projects:
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Project: Raising awareness on human trafficking, particularly issues affecting girls, and empowering communities to prevent exploitation.
Accelerating Action for the Elimination of Child Labour and Forced Labour Project: Combating harmful practices that disproportionately affect young girls by strengthening legal frameworks and providing families with support alternatives.
“Girls in Lesotho are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are powerful agents of change today,” – Chifwelu “We must listen to their aspirations and stand with them as they articulate their vision for the future.”
The commemoration will feature speeches by children aimed at raising awareness about the challenges girls face while providing a platform for them to express their visions and solutions.
Call to Action:
World Vision Lesotho calls upon all stakeholders; families, communities, and the broader Lesotho and international community to join in this movement to protect, respect, empower, and uplift girls. Together, we can create a future where every girl has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
Event Details:
Date: October 11, 2024
Location: Bethel High School, Mohale’s Hoek
Time: 10:00am
ENDS.
Note to editor:
For more information contact:
Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, lerato_brown@wvi.org +266 58911020 or Reentseng Phephetho, Communications and Digital Officer, +266 57430126
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org/lesotho or follow us on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn