IGNITE CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP FOR BRIGHT FUTURES

Employment and equity training for youth and key advocates in Lesotho

Background

Attitudes in Lesotho about gender-based violence are changing. A recent survey found that most Lesotho citizens say violence is never justified to discipline women and gender-based violence is the top women’s rights issue that should be addressed by government and society (Center for Democratic Governance, 2022). Help Lesotho’s Computer & Life Skills program taps into this desire for change. The classes teach a range of computer and life skills that empower people to be more employable, in addition to being better allies, self-advocates and leaders in their communities. Amidst learning about topics such as violence in families, participants are encouraged to offer their perspectives and discuss topics in large and small groups. By the end of the program, participating youth report feeling over 35% more likely to ask for help. Participating professionals report feeling twice as confident that others can rely on them for help.

The good deed

The Computer & Life Skills classes teach a range of life skills to empower people to be allies, self-advocates and leaders in their communities. The popular program, with a 1-year waiting list, covers a range of topics such as: goal setting, anger management, peer pressure, sexual and reproductive health, consent, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, pay-it-forward leadership, Microsoft Word and Excel. Youth and adult-aged women become aware of their rights. A participant shared: “Now I know that I did not cause these bad things and I do not have to take this treatment. I now know how to stand up for myself – and my children – and I will!” Frontline workers, such as police, who regularly interact with vulnerable women and youth, are able to build their capacity to be better allies to those counting on their assistance.