The USAID KB Activity, whose name, Karabo ea Bhopelo, translates to “a solution to good health,” works directly with the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports & Recreation, which is responsible for facilitating gender integration, including gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response across all ministries, national and sectoral policies, programs, budgets, and plans to achieve gender equality in the development process. Through KB, we are supporting to strengthen their coordination platforms to ensure a more streamlined GBV prevention and response system at a national level. KB is also providing direct support to the National AIDS Commission to better integrate HIV and GBV care and case management.

EnCompass’ staff in Lesotho looks forward to supporting increased capacity within Lesotho’s government ministries to coordinate HIV and GBV interventions and strengthen GBV prevention and post-violence care services. We have an opportunity to support the expansion of GBV prevention and response services at multiple levels, through support for the Department of Gender to better coordinate GBV prevention and response services at a national level, while working with local partners to strengthen the capacity of social workers to disseminate prevention messages and improve referrals for survivors to ensure they can access appropriate services and the best possible care.

At the community level, KB has developed a suite of training sessions and job aids for partner staff, field workers, and social workers on a range of topics: GBV identification and screening, GBV case management and referrals, and respectful care. Our participatory training methods allow participants to reflect on the types and root causes of GBV, while having opportunities to practice and apply new skills and techniques so they feel more confident when providing services.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the KB team has shifted focus to respond to increasing cases of GBV and ensure people are still aware of available services and where to access them. Our Senior GBV Advisor conducted a number of radio and TV interviews, and the team developed visual advocacy messages disseminated through Facebook and WhatsApp, directing people to the GBV response teams in each region. In May 2020, USAID’s website featured a news post about the KB program’s support for continuity of healthcare during the crisis.

You can follow the team’s work on Facebook at @KaraboEaBopheloKB and on Twitter at @KBLesotho.

Photo c/o Maamohelang kisses her son by USAID/ Southern Africa, CC BY-NC 2.0