MASERU – Women have been encouraged to take an active role in promoting peace, unity and sustainable development as part of efforts to build a peaceful future for generations to come.
This was said at the Women’s Peace Leadership Forum and Partnership Launch in Maseru on Monday.
International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Director Ms. Syeong Park said peace should be viewed as a borderless movement requiring commitment from people across the world.
International Women’s Peace Group Global Director, Syeong Park, said peace has no borders. She said it needs commitment from all people across the world.
She praised the women’s efforts, describing their work as seeds being planted for a future harvest of peace, while encouraging them to remain committed despite challenges.
“Peace has no borders; it is a journey that requires all of humanity to work together,” Ms. Park said, urging women to continue strengthening the global peace movement.
Meanwhile, IWPG Lesotho Chairperson Mrs Malejaka Letooane said the organisation’s mission was to achieve global peace by starting with a peaceful Lesotho.
Mrs Letooane emphasised the importance of unity under the slogan “We Are One”, saying women could achieve more by working together rather than operating in isolation.
She said women played a critical role as peace builders because of their influence in families and communities.
“Peace begins with me,” Mrs Letooane said, stressing that individuals must first develop a mindset of peace before they can promote harmony in society.
She added that peace was a foundation for economic growth, prosperity and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, noting that current efforts were important milestones for future generations.
One of the founding Members, Mrs Mantopi Lebofe, highlighted five key virtues necessary for lasting peace, namely respect, tolerance, justice, dedication and harmony.
Mrs Lebofe said peace was closely connected to environmental protection, warning that communities could not prosper without safeguarding natural resources such as clean water and air.
She urged women to educate children about the importance of protecting the environment, saying families, schools and churches had a responsibility to nurture a culture of peace and environmental awareness.
“Failing to care for the environment is an injustice to future generations,” she said.
The forum, organised by IWPG Global Region 6, also featured cultural presentations and poetry focusing on peace, with participants reaffirming their commitment to promoting unity and cooperation within communities.
ENDS/TS
