06/11/2025
Journalists Undergo Training to Amplify Reporting on Women Farmersโ Rights in Lesotho
Limpho Petlane
Maseru
Women form the backbone of Lesothoโs rural economy, making significant contributions to food production and household livelihoods. Despite this vital role, many face systemic obstacles rooted in deeply ingrained cultural and social norms. These include limited access to land, credit facilities, farming inputs, and extension services. Such barriers stifle their ability to increase productivity and benefit fully from agricultural development programs.
Due to this,a pivotal two-day training workshop commenced on Wednesday 05th October at the Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) in Maseru to equip local journalists with the skills needed to report effectively on women farmersโ rights in Lesothoโs agriculture sector.
Organized in partnership with the Centre for Farmersโ Leadership and Innovation
(CFLI/FCIL), the training aims to promote responsible, solutions-driven media coverage that highlights the challenges and contributions of Basotho women in agriculture.
Statistics affirm the central role women play in Lesothoโs farming communities. Nearly
60% of beneficiaries in World Bank supported agricultural projects are women, and adult female literacy rates stand at an impressive 88.29%, compared to 70.07% for males. This educational advantage positions women to adopt new farming techniques and engage in advocacy if provided with adequate support.
Yet, women farmers continue to experience discrimination and a lack of opportunities
compared to their male counterparts. These inequalities have wider consequences, contributing to persistent food insecurity, which remains an urgent issue in Lesotho.
According to recent estimates, 56% of households cannot afford a nutritious diet, while
approximately 631,000 people face food shortages. The impact of climate change and extreme weather events further jeopardizes farming outputs, disproportionately affecting women, who rely heavily on small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods.
The journalist training seeks to build capacity for sensitive and accurate reporting on these issues. Deepen understanding of human rights violations in agriculture, with a focus on gender discrimination, land rights, and resource access.
Through interactive presentations, group discussions, and case study analyses, journalists learned investigative techniques to uncover subtle forms of discrimination and highlight instances of human rights abuses. This approach intends to empower media professionals to tell compelling stories that promote social justice and gender equality in rural communities.
Additionally, the training will help establish a network of contacts and ongoing resource support for journalists, enabling sustained engagement with womenโs agricultural rights beyond the workshop. By promoting transparency, accountability, and community voice, the media can play an influential role in shaping policies and programs that address gender gaps.
This initiative aligns directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
As Lesotho strives to improve food security and rural livelihoods, recognizing and bolstering the rights of women farmers is essential. Responsible journalism focused on these challenges can create public awareness, influence policymakers, and promote equitable reforms.
Through this training, media practitioners become key agents of change, helping to amplify women farmersโ voices and highlight innovative solutions for a resilient and just agricultural future.
![[JUST IN]The Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP) II graduated 56 farmers from various farming categories ...](https://img4.medioq.com/678/122/122163847406781227.jpg)
