Two decades of democracy and constitutionalism in Lesotho - what for women?

• Date: 01 January 2015
• DOI: 10.10520/EJC177119
• Pages: 15-36
• Published date: 01 January 2015
• Author: Matseliso 'M'a-Tlali Mapetla

TWO DECADES OF DEMOCRACY AND

CONSTITUTIONALISM IN LESOTHO -

WHAT FOR WOMEN?

Matšeliso ‘M’a-Tlali Mapetla*

Introduction

As the country marks twenty years of constitutional democracy

almost fifty years since independence in 1966, one cannot help but

take stock of what is there for women in Lesotho to celebrate.

Gender equality is an imperative for democratic governance. In this

context Dalherup’s

1

main theoretical arguments in support of the

importance of women and gender equality in democratic

governance are first, the justice argument, which is that because

women make up half of the world population, it is imperative to

promote gender equality. Second, the democracy argument, which

is that proportional representation is desirable for democracy.

Third, the experience arguments, which is that women bring

different perspective and experiences to the table, so they enrich the

democratic process. Fourth, is the critical mass argument, which is

that women are able to achieve solidarity of a purpose to represent

women’s interests when they achieve certain levels of

representation; and fifth, the symbolic argument, which is that

women can act like role models when they are in leadership

positions. There is evidence in many countries to show that when

women are in positions of power they are inspired to actually do

the same as men and be successful. So those are the five arguments

* Matšeliso ‘M’a-Tlali Mapetla is Senior Lecturer, Researcher and Gender Scholar,

Department of Political and Administrative Studies. National University of

Lesotho

1

Dahlerup D., (1978). Women’s Entry into Politics. The Experience of the Danish Local

and General Elections 1908–20, Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol. 1, new series,

nos.2–3, pp. 139–162.

16 Two decades of Democracy and Constitutionalism

[unclear] in support of gender and the promotion of gender

equality.

2

Despite the stated gender equality arguments notably one of the

fundamental and enduring challenges facing democracies including

Lesotho is the continued lack of gender equality

3

in positions of

power and decision making due to the failure to link gender and

democracy

4

in Lesotho.

5

The under-representation of women in

politics and decision-making has been identified as a critical

concern in the international, regional and national commitments.

Gender balance in power and decision-making has been viewed as

both a matter of fundamental human rights and a democratic

imperative, and more so in a country such as Lesotho where gender

inequality is entrenched in the cultural practices and traditions of

the patriarchal system. It is glaring in power relations between men

and women within the society and political institutions.

The paper attempts to link gender and democracy and focuses on

the 1993 constitutional provisions and the emergence of multiparty

democracy as a means to influence national legal reforms and

policy on, inter alia, inclusion of women and promoting gender

equality and diversity in political power processes and leadership

at all levels of decision making. The paper is largely informed by

the author’s research and writings in the area of women, gender,

and politics.

2

Hounkpe M. and Niang I., Achieving Gender Equality in Political Participation:

Opportunities, Policy options & Significance for Democratic Governance, Paper

presented at 9th Symposium, Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, Johannesburg,

December, 2014.

3

Used here to denote men and women’s equal access to and control over resources

and opportunities, as well as equal participation and representation in politics and

decision-making; it relates to promotion of human rights.

4

Democracy refers to “fair representation and the participation of all interest

groups in society which gives people a say in their lives” (see Letuka P., Mapetla

M. & Matashane –Marite K. (Eds.). Gender and Elections in Lesotho Perspectives on the

2002 Elections. Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, Johannesburg (2004:16).

5

Letuka P., et al, Ibid.