By ‘Majirata Latela
A safe haven for abused women from all over the country based in Maseru is in dire need of financial assistance as reports suggest that women sometimes are sent back home before their disputes are resolved, just because the shelter is unable to provide for their needs.
The shelter was established in 2014 after reports on gender based violence increased significantly. It is meant to provide safety for nursing mothers, women, girls and boys under 12 years of age. They are accommodated there for safety.
The centre is solely run by the ministry of gender, youth sports and recreation and gets support in the form of donations from Lesotho’s development partners and non-governmental organisations.
One of the officials of the ministry of gender who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, told theReporter newspaper that the ministry seems to be failing to run the place, mainly due to limited budget allocation.
She said the shelter is a very good initiative that the country can use to make sure that no women die as a result of gender based violence. The shelter also provides safety and counselling to victims of abuse and violence. Victims are also equipped with skills in handicrafts.
Some of the victims have nowhere to stay when they are abused by their spouses. They are then housed at the shelter while await a resolve of their disputes.
“This is another way of the ministry to help curb gender based violence by providing a temporary home for women who have experienced violence in their homes,” she said.
She said for many years, the ministry has failed to provide financial support to the shelter, adding that for long it has been supported by the non-governmental organisations. This support has not been sufficient to cater for those accommodated at the centre.
She also pointed out that the ministry has for years now proved to be failing to fund the shelter with all its needs because of limited budgetary allocation. Some non-governmental organisations have funded the shelter although such support has not been enough.
In some instances, it had to close down due to lack of supply of materials such as food, cosmetics, fuel and other necessities.
At some stage, the centre closed down in December last year due to lack of power supply. The victims had to find shelter in other places after they were turned away.
The electricity supply was later on restored after several months of darkness.
The newspaper enquired from the director of gender who was not available for comment as her secretary showed that she was preparing for the memorial service and the funeral of a close colleague and would only be available for comment next week.
The writer was referred to the manager of the centre Teboho Ntlhakana who accused the writer of being “used by husbands” of the victims to taint her image.
She said the centre is a safe place for women and that there was a man who has on several occasions threatened her with going to the media and reveal all the stories he knows about the centre.
She said on the journalist’s previous visited to the shelter, an unidentified man had gone to the place looking for his wife who had been admitted at the centre.
“On the day that you came to ask me for a comment, I noticed that the man came just after you visited the shelter. I don’t have to ask you but I realise that you are being used by that man and if this is the way you journalists operate, it’s too bad. You’re being used by people who have unstable minds.
“The shelter is a very private place and for the safety of those women, we do not allow anyone to go in but we have heard that there are women who have been sharing information with men behind our backs. We have further realised that these women reveal information about the centre when they have made peace with their husbands,” she fumed.
On the one hand, the minister of gender, youth, sports and recreation, Likeleli Tampane was very surprised to hear that the shelter has at some instances had to send those women back home because it was running short of food, electricity and fuel.
“I am really not aware of these; I do remember that at one point I was told that the centre was running short of food but I talked with the ministry’s financial controller to do all they could to make sure that the centre gets food. The problem was solved. But I have never been told that the centre had at some instances sent people back home because they could not provide them with their necessities.
“Since my arrival in this office I have never come across development partners who wanted to help us run that shelter. If there are development partners who actually want to run the centre they can enter into a contract with the ministry.
“Gender based violence has to be eradicated and if it means working with other people to run the centre my ministry is open to any negotiations. I appreciate everyone who has put a hand in helping the shelter to survive this far.
“I have seen in other countries where such shelters are run by NGO’s and I also believe if we work together on that shelter we can do better, I however do promise to investigate what has been going on about the centre and get back to you with enough information,” she said.
The former minister of gender, Mahali Phamotse also shared the same sentiments that the centre really needs development partners who can collaborate with the ministry to ensure proper functioning of the place.
She recalled the centre was facing financial constraints for some time.
Women and children survivors of gender-based violence who do not have a safe place to stay can seek refuge at the Lapeng Care Centre shelter from one day to six months.
The shelter accommodates up to 30 people with separate sections for nursing mothers, women, girls, boys under 12 years, and women with children. Boys ages 13 to 17 years must be accompanied by their mother. Boys older than 17 years cannot stay at the shelter.
The location of the centre is confidential in order to ensure the safety of the victims.
