All Commitments made by Ministry of Social Development Lesotho

Policy, legislation and its implementation
The Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) in Lesotho commits to ensure that the Disability Equity Bill is passed as Law and the National Disability Mainstreaming Plan (NDMP) is supported with funding to ensure its implementation. 

Timeframe and/or implementation plan
For the Disability Equity Bill, The Ministry will ensure that it is passed by the end of this financial year (March, 2019); for The Mainstreaming Plan, we will lobby for it during this financial year to receive funding from the coming financial year onwards. It has to be budgeted for by all government ministries and relevant stakeholders.

Policy, standards and regulations
The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for coordinating all activities and issues of persons with disabilities (PWDs). As such it works with all relevant stakeholders, public and private to ensure that the rights of PWDs are observed, for instance, inclusive education is adopted in all schools to integrate children with disabilities into the mainstream schools. The Ministry works closely with the Special Education Unit of the Ministry of Education and Training to ensure that all schools are designed and equipped to enrol Children with disabilities as opposed to then going to the so called “special schools”. There are policies that are being reviewed for this purpose and the Disability Equity Bill addresses all issues on the rights of PWDs.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan 
Implementation of The National Disability Mainstreaming Plan will ensure recognition of the rights of PWDs. It addresses issues on education, health, housing, employment, social aspects, reasonable accommodation, independent living and universal designs, amongst others. Once there is funding allocated to the implementation of this plan, progress will be made in terms of improving service delivery for PWDs.As indicated above, the budget will commence in the coming financial year (2019/20).

Inclusive social protection systems
The NDMP relates all that has to be done to empower PWDs and the Disability Equity Bill provides legal framework for the implementation of the NDMP. In the Bill, there is provision for establishment of a Disability Grant and establishment of a Disability Trust Fund to ensure implementation of disability programmes such as livelihoods projects and other means of economic empowerment.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan
Upon enactment of the Disability Equity Bill, and implementation commencing in the coming financial year.

Policy and guidance
The Ministry of Social Development works with other government ministries through appointed Focal Points. The Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology has a Focal Point that the Ministry of Social Development works with to ensure that when technology advances, PWDs are not left behind. The main challenge has been funding for appropriate technology for PWDs, but this will be addressed once there is funding for the implementation of the NDMP.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan
Once there is funding for the implementation of the National Disability Mainstreaming Plan.

Commit resources to support strengthened disability data
There is currently no accurate data relating to the number of PWDs in the country. The recent census indicates that PWDs comprise only 2.7% of the population of Lesotho but this cannot be an accurate figure since there are hard-to-reach areas in Lesotho that would require use of helicopters to reach. Once the Disability Equity Bill is enacted and passed as law, the government will have to provide funding for its implementation. Only then can The Ministry demand that all areas are reached in order to get accurate and segregated data on PWDs in Lesotho.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan
Once there is a disability specific law, (which we push for the end of this financial year) the government will have to provide funding for its implementation starting from the coming financial year.

There has been a call throughout Africa through the African Union to protect the rights of women and girls.The Ministry of Social Development has been and continues to create awareness on such rights. One that can be stated is abolition of child marriages. The different laws are currently under review to protect a girl child against early marriage. The Ministry of Gender also assist in empowering women through provision of employment opportunities; our ministry works continuously with such stakeholders. The Ministry of Social Development is in the process of forming collaboration with the Private Sector to improve service delivery for and empowerment of vulnerable groups, including women and girls with disabilities. It commits to ensuring that this vulnerable group is empowered in various ways such as employment, access to health facilities, education, etc.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan: The process is already underway.

The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) works closely with the MOSD during times of disaster. DMA has included a section on disability in its strategy in combating and eradicating poverty to ensure that PWDs are not worse off when disaster strikes. The Ministry continues working will all relevant stakeholders, private and public; for instance, Habitat for Humanity assists in building houses for PWDs who are destitute and live in unhealthy environments. The Ministry also has a department of Social Assistance that has programmes like school bursary, Child Grant Program, Public Assistance etc. We commit to increase the amount of money provided on social protection programmes.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan: By the beginning of the coming financial year (2019/20).

MOSD commits to improve the quality of training provided at its institution for PWDs named Ithuseng Vocational Training Centre (IVRC). IVRC was established in 1996 and since its establishment there has not been any curriculum review. The Ministry is in the process of engaging the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to assist in overhauling this institution and capacitating the Instructors.

After training, the Ministry wishes to provide start-up kits for the graduates for them to start their own businesses but financial constraints hinder this purpose. MOSD commit to source funding for this undertaking.

The Ministry works with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs)and institutions caring for PWDs to empower them through establishment of projects like agricultural livelihood projects (animal husbandry, horticulture, piggery and poultry). We commit to enhance these projects to ensure their sustainability.