New Haven for Gender-Based Violence Survivors Launched in Lesotho

A new haven for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was officially inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso at the Royal Palace in Maseru on Monday this week. The Boiketlong Multipurpose Centre, a sanctuary born from a partnership between the Government of Lesotho, the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, United Nations agencies, corporate entities and civil society organisations, offers a holistic pathway to healing, safety and empowerment for women and children fleeing violence.

In Lesotho, the first steps for a survivor fleeing a life of fear are often the hardest. Questions of where to go when home is no longer safe and who to trust when trust has been shattered can feel insurmountable. The Boiketlong Multipurpose Centre is intended to be the answer to these desperate questions, serving as a holistic ecosystem of healing where survivors can find everything they need to reclaim their lives under one roof.

Upon arrival, survivors access a comprehensive suite of essential support services, including a secure accommodation offering a safe home for women and their children. Immediate medical care is facilitated through an on-site health clinic, while professional psychological support and guidance through the justice system are also available via counselling and legal aid. For children, an Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Centre offers a safe and nurturing space. Crucially, programmes for livelihoods and skills development are in place, intended to cultivate economic independence and self-reliance among women.

At the launch event, those in attendance were united in condemning GBV and reaffirming their commitment to creating a safer future for all Basotho. Her Majesty Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso delivered a heartfelt message of hope, stating, "Today, we declare that there will be no more suffering in silence. The Boiketlong Centre is a lifeline, offering a place of comfort where survivors can begin their journey of healing and rebuild their lives with dignity."

The Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara, affirmed the government's resolve: "Lesotho cannot progress while our women live in fear. This centre is our firm commitment to strengthening protection systems and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable."

Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Hon Pitso Lesaoana, offered a direct message to survivors: "Through this centre, we are sending an unequivocal message: we believe you, we hear you and we stand with you. Together, we will create a future where all women and girls can truly thrive."

'Mamoorosi Raditapole, Finance Director at Vodacom Lesotho, spoke to the company's deep-rooted commitment: "This is a stand against silence and a step towards healing. For Vodacom, this fight is deeply personal, having lost one of our colleagues to GBV back in 2021. The Boiketlong Centre must become a beacon of hope, inspiring a united national effort to create a Lesotho where women and girls can live without fear."

Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director, issued an urgent call to action: "GBV is a tax on development, peace and social fabric. We must collectively dismantle the harmful practices that perpetuate it and strive relentlessly for a future of zero GBV by 2030."

The UN Resident Coordinator, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, highlighted the spirit of collaboration: "This Centre affirms our shared commitment that no survivor should walk their journey alone. It is where community becomes action and proof that public-private partnerships can create profound, lasting change."

Although the physical infrastructure of the centre is now complete, the critical mission of transforming lives remains an ongoing journey and its capacity to heal and empower hinges entirely upon sustained generosity and proactive engagement. Therefore, the nation is invited to become integral to this story, noting that support manifests in various crucial ways, beginning with the adoption of a home for renovation or contributions towards furnishing and maintaining this safe environment. Crucially, financial donations are required to cover essential operational costs, including counselling services, medical supplies, legal fees and skills training for survivors. Beyond monetary contributions, the centre also welcomes in-kind donations of essential provisions such as food, toiletries, clothing and educational materials. Additionally, becoming an Ambassador for Change represents another powerful avenue for support, helping to raise awareness and mobilise vital resources. Finally, employment placements would be highly welcome, because they would provide invaluable internship or secure job opportunities for survivors as they conclude their programmes and transition back to independent life.

The Boiketlong Multipurpose Centre stands as a proof of what is possible when a nation unites, offering not just shelter, but a path to a future free from violence and filled with empowerment.