Maseru, Jun. 18 – Abduction well known in Lesotho as Chobeliso, is the practice of forcefully taking young girls for marriage. Despite global authorities establishing child marriage as a violation of human rights, chobeliso continues to be practiced, particularly in communities that perceive it as a customary, religious, or social norm.
According to the 2016 census, the child marriage percentage in Lesotho stands at 24 percent (24%). This alarming rate has resulted in 57 young mothers giving birth under the age of 15 in 2022.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) National Program Analyst in Adolescents and Youth, Mrs. Maseretse Ratia, highlighted that the practice of early marriage persists, especially in rural areas where culture and religion are deeply ingrained. . .
