Supporting young mothers to build healthier futures in Leribe and Thaba-Tseka
Strengthening health, wellbeing, and community support
In Matlameng, Leribe, twenty young mothers are taking part in a UNICEF-supported peer-led session implemented by Help Lesotho, aimed at improving the health, wellbeing, and resilience of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The session is part of a broader programme led by the Ministry of Health Lesotho, with support from UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) under the joint UN 2gether4SRHR initiative. The programme is being implemented in Leribe and Thaba-Tseka to address the urgent need for tailored services that improve sexual and reproductive health, mental health, nutrition, HIV outcomes, and social protection for adolescent girls and young mothers.
During the session, participants are engaged in discussions on self-esteem, maternal and child health, gender-based violence prevention, birth registration, and other essential life skills. At the same time, integrated health services are being brought directly to them, including antenatal care (ANC), immunization, HIV counselling, and other mother-and-child health services.
This integrated approach ensures that young mothers not only receive information, but also immediate access to critical health services in a safe and supportive environment.
The programme targets 300 pregnant and breastfeeding AGYW aged 10–24 across the two districts. Through community mobilization, adolescent participation, peer support, and outreach services, the initiative helps young mothers build knowledge, confidence, and stronger connections to existing health and social services.
Implemented through partnerships with community councils, chiefs, councillors, health centres, district ministries, Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU), and civil society organizations, the programme also works closely with families and partners of the young women to strengthen support at household and community level.
By establishing village support networks and linking young mothers to income-generating opportunities, the programme helps create long-term pathways for resilience, dignity, and belonging.
For many of these young women, these sessions are more than meetings, they are safe spaces where they can access services, share experiences, and gain tools to shape healthier futures for themselves and their children.
