By Liapeng Raliengoane
MASERU – In commemoration of Women’s Month, Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) handed over sanitary materials and launched a partnership for the provision of counselling services to the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation (MGYSR) in Maseru on Wednesday.
The humanitarian act was directed to the women and girls who recite at Lapeng Care Centre – a home for victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) – as part of MMB’s initiatives to give back to the community.
The counselling services will however be provided for the officers who work at the Centre to enable effective delivery of services at the centre.
Speaking at the event, MMB Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager ’Mapulumo Mosisili revealed that one of the objectives of MMB as a business, is to make a positive impact on the communities, saying they do this by contributing to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of smart drinking (3.5), sustainability and road safety (3.6). She said they are committed to ensuring responsible communities where women and children feel safe.
Mosisili highlighted that; “GBV has been linked to excessive use of alcohol, however, we believe through education on smart drinking, we can contribute to reducing the harmful use of alcohol. We are aware that there are victims of GBV. These women and children have to be protected and given a safe place where they can start rebuilding their lives and regaining their confidence and place in society.”
“MMB is therefore happy to support this important initiative. We hope counselling sessions will be beneficial to the social workers who are often traumatized but have to hide their trauma to help these victims. We wish these items will help make bearable, the stay of women and children at Lapeng Care Centre. MMB will continue to support the ministry as far as it possibly can in the coming years,” she concluded.
Lapeng Care Centre Social Worker and Manager Teboho Ntlhakana expressed gratitude to MMB. She indicated that at the Centre, they provide a safe place for victims of GBV as the name says Lapeng (Home) it is indeed a home to those violated, while they are waiting for the assistance they need as it is not a permanent home. Ntlakana further expressed hope that the materials will go a long way in helping the victims.
The Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation Hon. Likeleli Tampane pointed out that the Officers at Lapeng Care Centre are traumatized due to the nature of their work. She urged the nation to pray for these Social Workers.
Hon. Tampane stressed the importance of fighting against Gender-Based Violation. She urged Basotho to offer more help to Lapeng Care Centre and to renovate it. She also asked for more prayer towards the victims of GBV, for peace in the country and for all women during this Women’s month.
The Lapeng Care Centre is a safe space where women, boys and girls who have experienced gender-based violence can access free counselling services, referrals to other services, or temporary shelter. It is run by professional Counsellors and Nurses. Survivors can access the Centre on their own accord or via referrals from family members, friends, traditional leaders, Community Councilors, faith-based organizations, learning institutions, Child and Gender Protection Units, lawyers, health providers, civil society organizations, development partners or others.