1.         Background

Since 1985, UNFPA has been supporting the Government of Lesotho in its core thematic areas of work – Reproductive Health, Population and Development and Gender Equality. The fifth Country Programme approved in 2007 and which runs from 2008-2012 addresses national priorities in line with the Millennium Development Goals, the ICPD Programme of Action, the UNDAF, the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and Vision 2020. The overall goal of the programme is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people of Lesotho.

Gender-based violence continues to be a reality in Lesotho. It constitutes one of the most widespread human rights abuses and public health problems in the world today, with devastating long term consequences for victims’ physical and mental health. Simultaneously, its broader social effects compromise the social development of children in the household, the unity of the family, the social fabric of affected communities, as well as the well being of the society as a whole. It ranges from acts of violence in the form of physical, psychological, or sexual violence against a person specifically because of his or her gender. However, the magnitude of its forms is not properly known as there is no precise data and adequate reporting mechanisms on this.

In the Gender Component of the Fifth Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Lesotho and the United Nations Population Fund 2008-2012, the Ministry of Gender  and Youth,  Sports and Recreation has initiated several interventions as spelt out in the 2010 Annual Work Plan (AWP).

In line with Output 2 of the Gender Component, several activities will be undertaken to ensure increased capacity of government and civil society organizations for prevention of gender-based violence, management and care of survivors and the promotion of women and girls rights. 

In 2008, the first baseline study was conducted in the following five selected districts –Leribe, Mohales Hoek, Thaba Tseka, Mothotlong and Quthing. The proposed study for 2010 will target the remaining five districts of  Maseru, Berea, Mafeteng, Botha Buthe and Qacha’s Nek. It will review and consolidate available studies on violence against women with the goal to have a comprehensive situation analysis of violence against women in Leostho.

The United Nations Development Programme is supporting this activity within the framework of the Joint MGYSR, UNDP and UNFPA project Measures to Counteract  Violence Against Women which entails among others carrying out a comprehensive study on violence against women in Lesotho, raising  public awareness on the issue,  supporting the establishment of  a specialized service for victims of gender-based violence, especially sexual violence and training of the police, prosecutors and correctional officers on issues related to violence against women.

2          Purpose

The study is intended to obtain reliable and relevant data on the prevalence and forms of gender based violence in the selected districts. Information obtained from the study will be used to inform programmatic interventions on violence against women in Lesotho.

3.         Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the baseline study are:

·    to gather baseline information on attitudes and beliefs about gender based  violence;

·    to identify the extent of different types of  violence which are occurring or have occurred within the specific districts;

·    to identify the health needs which arise as a result of these forms of violence;

·    to identify groups which are especially vulnerable;

·    to identify the individual and community strengths and resources that exist to prevent and to respond to violence;

·    to identify intervention strategies for prevention and treatment based on these community strengths and resources.

4.         Research Questions

The consultant or institution  conducting the study will formulate comprehensive data collection tools including questionnaires and interview guides that will bring out the key issues on gender based violence and its forms in the districts.

5.         Location

The baseline study will be conducted in Maseru, Berea, Mafeteng, Butha Buthe and Qacha’s nek districts as stated above.

6.         Methodology

The baseline study should be able to gather information through a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods including among other document reviews, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews designed to capture information related to gender based violence.

7.         Management

The baseline study will be conducted under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation.

A Task team will be set up to review the baseline study instruments and questionnaires designed by the consultant or institution conducting the study with the goal to provide quality assurance to the entire process. Specific tasks will include:

• Selection of the consultant or institution to conduct the study;
• Reviewing and approving the proposal of the consultant or institution ;
• Agreeing on the proposed study methodology and baseline study tools;
• Monitoring and  reviewing progress on the study
• Approving the final baseline study report.

The consultant or institution conducting the baseline study will take the overall responsibility for the technical quality of the study. Specifically the consultant or institution will:

• Prepare a comprehensive methodology as stated above;
• Prepare a detailed inception report with work plan for the entire study.