MASERU — Maleah Foundation, in collaboration with 1 Billion Rising Lesotho (OBR), will on February 14 2026 mark the 1 Billion Rising Campaign , a global awareness movement aimed at confronting gender-based violence, exploitation and injustice, while promoting the protection of women, girls, young people and Planet.
Speaking in an interview, 1 Billion Rising and Maleah Foundation coordinator Ms. Mokolitsoe Precious Molelle said that 1 Billion Rising is a global movement that calls people around the world to rise against Gender Based Violence (GBV) pointing out that it was founded in February 14, 2012 and is observed in different countries in response to the persistent violence faced by women and girls.
She said the organisation has noted increasing cases of gender-based violence occurring between lovers, people in relationships and within marriages, adding that the campaign serves as a platform to raise awareness and encourage open dialogue on the issue.
Ms. Molelle said the campaign is particularly important in Lesotho, where cases of gender-based violence against women and girls remain high.
She added that the initiative creates safe spaces for young people to speak openly about violence and its impact on their lives.
She explained that the campaign is a youth-led initiative organised by the Maleah Foundation, where young people are given an opportunity to discuss violence and advocate for change.
She emphasised that the 2026 theme, “Rising for Our Bodies, Rising for Our Earth, Rising for Our Future,” highlights the need to protect what matters most. She explained that rising for bodies means defending bodily autonomy and dignity, rising for the earth calls for safe and healthy environments, while rising for the future encourages investment in a society free from violence. . .
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