Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Year: 2023
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/5th.icsha.2023.12.105
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Empowering women and girls in Lesotho: Leveraging Family Ties for Effective Advocacy and Skill Development
Sonia Mairos Ferreira and Kimanzi Muthengi
ABSTRACT:
In the distinctive socio-cultural landscape of Lesotho, the pursuit of women’s and girls’ rights emerges as a fundamental component of the developmental narrative. Within this context, entrenched cultural norms play a significant role in defining the roles and empowerment of women and girls in domestic settings. This qualitative meta-analysis examines the role of cultural norms in shaping gender rights advocacy within family structures in Lesotho, integrating data from UNICEF’s research initiatives conducted in 2023. The focal points of this synthesis are a descriptive study on breastfeeding practices and an evaluative study spanning three years on an integrated Nutrition-HIV Program. These projects provide a platform for analysing the influence of familial dynamics on the promotion of women’s and girls’ rights in a setting characterized by entrenched traditional norms. The meta-analysis findings reveal a nuanced landscape where traditional societal structures coexist with signs of evolving family roles, particularly in the domain of child nutrition. While the data reflect persistent influences of a patriarchal system and economic dependencies, there is also evidence of a growing agency among women, suggesting a shift towards more balanced family dynamics. The findings from the Nutrition-HIV Program suggest an association between participation in health initiatives and positive health outcomes, which may imply a potential empowerment effect. The Breastfeeding Study uncovers familial factors influencing breastfeeding practices, indicating an intricate relationship between cultural practices and individual agency. The study underscores the imperative of facilitating empowerment avenues for women and girls, thereby establishing them as integral contributors in both familial and societal spheres. It recommends initiatives aimed at improving economic independence, education, policy sensitivity to gender issues, family inclusivity in decision-making, and family support in empowerment frameworks. This approach outlines a path for advancing gender equality and social development in Lesotho.
keywords: Women’s and Girls’ Advocacy, Gender Roles, Family and Community Dynamics, Awareness Raising, Capacity Building