Strengthening social protection coordination to reach every child in Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho 28 October 2025 — The Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MoGYSD) today opened a two-day national multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at strengthening coordination and collaboration across Lesotho’s social protection sector.

Supported by the European Union in Lesotho and UNICEF, the dialogue brings together representatives from government ministries, development partners, and civil society to take stock of ongoing efforts and explore strategies for building a more integrated and effective social protection system in Lesotho.

Lesotho continues to face significant socio-economic challenges, including high levels of poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and vulnerability to climate shocks. While the Government of Lesotho, with support from development partners, has made progress through programmes such as the Child Grants Programme, Old Age Pension, school feeding schemes, and public works initiatives, coordination among these programmes has often been fragmented and project specific.

Speaking at the opening, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Mahlapane Makakole, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening coordination mechanisms to ensure that social protection systems effectively meet the needs of all Basotho—especially the most vulnerable. She emphasized that “a coordinated approach is essential if we are to build a system that not only responds to immediate needs but also supports resilience and long-term development.”

Echoing this sentiment, EU Ambassador to Lesotho, H.E. Mette Sunnergren, highlighted that collaboration and shared ownership are critical to making social protection systems more effective. “The significance of coordination cannot be overstated,” she said. “Effective collaboration at multiple levels ensures that resources are optimized and initiatives are aligned to comprehensively address the needs of vulnerable populations. By harmonizing efforts across government bodies, NGOs, international partners, and local communities, we create a unified framework that minimizes overlaps and gaps in service delivery.”

UNICEF Representative, Deepak Bhaskharan, commended the Ministry for leading the coordination of social assistance programmes, noting that sustainable progress depends on collective responsibility. “Coordination cannot rest on the Ministry alone—it requires the active engagement of all sectors,” he said. “Development partners, civil society, and government institutions each play a vital role in ensuring that social protection systems reach every child, every family, and every community in need.”

The National Social Protection Coordination Framework provides the foundation for this dialogue, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and well-coordinated systems that improve efficiency, sustainability, and impact across all elements of social protection—from social assistance and social insurance to labour market interventions and social care services.

The two-day dialogue is expected to culminate in a set of practical recommendations for strengthening institutional collaboration, improving programme linkages, and establishing a structured platform for regular coordination among government, partners, and civil society. This process represents a significant step toward a more coherent and resilient social protection system that leaves no one behind.