Maseru, May 28 — Reported cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) perpetrated against men are still largely going unreported despite the fact that men are also victims of abuse.
This was said by the acting Director General at the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Mrs. ‘Mapuleng Secheche, during the Eliminating Gender Based Violence in Lesotho workshop held for media practitioners by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) together with the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency.
Mrs. Secheche stated that recent cases show that men are increasingly becoming victims of sexual abuse, adding that such incidents need to be reported in order for victims to receive assistance and justice.
She noted that despite challenges surrounding the fight against GBV, including limited financial resources, there is still a strong need to engage the media in disseminating information and raising awareness on GBV issues.
She highlighted that the media plays a critical role in educating communities, encouraging victims to speak out and helping to break the silence surrounding abuse affecting both women and men.
Mrs. Secheche further appealed to journalists to report GBV stories responsibly and ethically while protecting the dignity and privacy of survivors.
The workshop focused on strengthening the role of the media in combating GBV and promoting awareness on prevention and response mechanisms in Lesotho.
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